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Frontispiece 


Up Against the Gates 


Dave Darrin on the 
Asiatic Station 

OR 

Winning Lieutenants’ Commissions 
on the Admiral’s Flagship 


By 

H. IRVING HANCOCK 

Author of “Dave Darrin at Vera Cruz,” “Dave Darrin on 
Mediterranean Service,” “Dave Darrin’s South American 
Cruise” “Dave Darrin and the German Sub- 
marines,” “Dave Darrin After the Mine 
Layers,” etc., etc. 


Illustrated 


PHILADELPHIA 

HENRY ALTEMUS COMPANY 



Copyright, 1919, by 
Howard E. Altemus 


NOV 14 1919 


d)C;.A535715 


CONTENTS 


Chapter I — Among the Forty Thieves 11 

Dave and Dan have an unpleasant experience. 

Old ^‘Bumt-face’^ scores. The green jade neck- 
lace. The young naval officers meet a plausible 
stranger. The snub that went home. 


Chapter II — Who Robbed the Ensigns? 32 

Darrin voices a suspicion. Sighting a strange 
craft. Perhaps a tragedy. A bullet from the 
quarterdeck. What was found in the canoe. A 
hideous sight. The police are notified. A proph- 
ecy come true. 


Chapter III — Ensigns Go a- Visiting 

*‘I don’t believe that I would trust him.” An; 
accident and a rescue. The Englishman has luck. 
Chilled with suspicion. “We sail at seven.” 
Dave Darrin wonders. 


Chapter IV — The Landing Party at Nu Ping. . . 66 

Yankee guns speak out. To the rescue of the im- 
periled mission. Dave faces the yellow mob. 
“Charge bayonets!” Thousands follow the de- 
tachment. Up to the governor. 

5 


6 CONTENTS 

Chapter V — Sin Foo Has His Doubts 

Henshaw plays the gong. Bang! Crash! ZimI 
Zoum! Smash! A brave front. Dave Darrin’s 
happy surprise. Prisoners of the governor. Some- 
thing doing on board the “Castoga.” 


Chapter VI — Heckling His Excellency 

Rebels on the war path again. The warship’s 
guns in action again. Ensign Darrin invades the 
yamen. “Burnt-face” makes his appearance. 
“The rioters are about to attack, sir!” 


Chapter VII — Fighting from the Ramparts 

Sin Foo turns green. The treasure of the burned 
mission. Belle Darrin cool under fire. Fighting 
men must eat. The mystery of Pembroke. Mrs. 
Darrin gets a tip. “That is an awful thought.” 


Chapter VIII — The Swarm op Night Furies 

Yellow soldiers “get the gate.” The yamen door 
goes down. A stern warning. Machine guns 
sweep the hordes. Scaling ladders against the 
walls. “Prepare to repel boarders!” 


Chapter IX — The Traitor of the Yamen 

“We are going to have a noisy night.” American 
blood is drawn. “Let ’em have it strong!” 
Fighting for their lives. Dave and Dan are with- 
out fear. An unequal battle. Ensign Darrin 
makes a terrifying discovery. 


CONTENTS 7 

Chapter X — Darrin Lays the Traitor Low 116 


*‘Help here! Quick!” Five men against scores. 
Battle yells change to groans of pain. “Good 
work, Darrin and all hands.” Dave makes an 
arrest. Gongs make night hideous. Rebels rush 
the yamen. 


Chapter XI — “It Is Chinese War!” 124 

Ensign Darrin’s desperate plan. The governor 
in terror. Old “Burnt-face” swoons. Dave tests 
the powder. “Fire the magazine when you 
think it is the only course left!” Darrin kisses his 
wife farewell. 


Chapter XII — His Excellency Makes a Proposal . 132 

Hand to hand on top of the wall. Yellow men 
hurled to the ground. Sampson totes the gov- 
ernor. Words that acted like magic. Villainy 
is suspected. “ Forward, march ! ” 


Chapter XIII — A Journey of Fears 142 

Riding on a powder magazine. On board the 
“Castoga.” “Well done, Darrin.” Dan objects 
to being thanked. A summons from the sick- 
bay. What happened to Pembroke. 


Chapter XIV — The Plot That Failed 149 

Dave hears a confession. “If I am alive in the 
morning.” The governor’s avarice. The part of 
“Bumt-face.” Darrin shakes hands with a 
scoundrel. 


8 CONTENTS 

Chapter XV — Ensigns Get a Surprise 156 

The lot of a naval officer. Dave admits being 
badly scared. How the governor made amends. 
Sailing of the “Castoga.’^ Good bye to Belle* 
Ordered to report to the Admiral. What came of 
Darrin's report. 


Chapter XVI — Old Friends Meet in Tokio 168 

A wonderful medallion. “In my family 600 
years.” A ride after a two-legged horse. Belle 
receives a present. Could not keep a secret. 

Dave in Une for trouble. 


Chapter XVII — Complications Await Ensign 

Darrin 179 

The note that Belle lost. Japanese are pohte in 
their indignation. Dave is astounded. What does 
it all mean? Prepared to face a storm. 


Chapter XVIII — A Call That Turned out Badly . 186 

An insult resented. Danny Grin bears a startling 
message. “What are you going to do about it?” 

A joke that was not a joke. Dave Darrin chal- 
lenged to a duel. 


Chapter XIX — An Outcast in Tokio 197 

Danny Grin makes a speech. That was a splen- 
did deed. Never smelled powder. Japanese 
officers unconvinced. Dave Darrin is shunned. 

The Frenchman's snub. “If any man dares, I'll 
wring his neck!” 


CONTENTS 9 

Chapter XX — At the Emperor’s Reception 205 


Ensigns get the cold shoulder. BeUe has the time 
of her life. will not disgrace the service.” 
Banzais to the Emperor. “Spt! Spt! Sizz! 
Sizz-zz!” A sputtering bomb imder Ensign 
Darrin. 


Chapter XXI — Courage That Did Not Fail 216 

Anarchists feel Yankee fists. The deadly fuse 
pinched out. The man who saved the ruler of 
a nation. Japan’s undying gratitude earned. 
Summoned before the Emperor. Danny Grin’s 
predicament. 

Chapter XXII — The Thanks of an Emperor 222 

Proclaimed as heroes. Danny Grin uses a mon- 
ocle. Honors that embarrass. Ensign Dalzell 
makes a speech before the throne. A belated apol- 
ogy. The cat is out of the bag. 


Chapter XXIII — Enemies Become Friends 233 

The plot that worked. Japanese police make dis- 
coveries. The mystery of the stolen medallion. A 
dinner instead of a duel. An apology that was 
accepted. 

Conclusion — The Admiral has a Surprise for Dave 

AND Dan 243 

“You ought to be an Admiral.” Honored by the 
Emperor. A last farewell from Lieutenants Dave 
Darrin and Dan Dalzell. 





DAVE DARRIN ON 
THE ASIATIC STATION 


CHAPTER I 

TWO STRANGERS OF MANILA 

AM delighted to have had the privilege of 

I meeting you, Miss Chapin,’' said Ensign 
Dave Darrin, lifting his uniform cap and 
bowing low at the end of the brief conversation. 
“And my thanks to you. Captain Chapin, for 
having afforded us the great pleasure.” 

Ensign Dan Dalzell, U. S. Navy, delivered 
himself in similar fashion. 

The two young naval officers turned and were 
about to resume their stroll over the Punta de 
Espana, or Spanish bridge, which, crossing the 
Pasig River, separates Old Manila from New. 

Just as suddenly, however, the pair checked 
their progress, to stare across the bridge. 

On the opposite side, leaning against the rail, 
stood a Chinaman in rather rich apparel, with a 
decidedly sinister cast of countenance. 

“Why is Old ‘Burnt-face’ staring so hard after 
Miss Chapin and her brother?” muttered Dal- 
zell. 


11 


12 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


^^I’m blessed if I know/’ returned Dave Darrin. 
^^I’ve a good mind to cross over and put your 
question to the Chinaman.” 

^^I’ve a greater mind to throw him into the 
Pasig,” growled Dalzell. ‘^I’m not strong on race 
lines or colpr, but I don’t believe that any yellow 
man has a right to glare like that at an American 
girl.” 

Dalzell teek a step forward, as though to cross 
the bridge, but Darrin promptly caught his wrist. 

^^Don’t do anything rash, Danny Grin,” urged 
Dave. ^Throwing a Chinaman into a river 
isn’t approved by the American government that 
has been set up in these islands.” 

^Then perhaps I’d better not hoist him over 
the bridge rail and let him drop into the water,” 
Dan conceded. ^^But I believe that I will cross 
over and have a look at him.” 

'‘Not a bad idea, and certainly not against the 
law,” nodded Ensign Darrin. "Let us follow the 
Chapins a little way, cross the road, and then 
come down on the other side so as to meet Mr. 
Burnt-face face to face.” 

The nickname that the American pair had 
given the yellow man was due to a patch of pur- 
ple skin, of considerable area, under the yellow 
man’s right eye. Had that patch been absent, 
undoubtedly the Chinaman would not have ap- 
peared so sinister. 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


13 


‘‘Odd that a fine girl like Miss Chapin should 
want to waste her life serving as a missionary in 
China, isn't it?" asked Dan. 

“I wouldn't call it wasting her life," Darrin re- 
turned. “Neither, you may be sure, does Miss 
Chapin herself so consider it. To her way of 
thinking, she is devoting her life to one of the 
noblest ideals that can animate the human mind." 

“I wouldn't mind so much if she were like the 
average girl," Dan rambled on, rather vaguely. 
“But for a stunner like Miss Chapin — such a 
dainty little piece of exquisite womanhood — " 

“Oh," laughed Dave. “Then it isn't her ser- 
vices that you begrudge the natives of China, but 
her good looks." 

“Well, anyway," Danny Grin continued rather 
testily, “I'll wager that Chapin doesn't fully ap- 
prove of what his sister is doing." 

Captain Chapin was serving in one of the in- 
fantry regiments of the Army line at Manila. 
Being stationed in the city, Chapin had the good 
fortune to have his family, consisting of his 
mother, wife and two young children, located 
in a cottage over in Ermita, just beyond the 
massive stone walls of Old Manila. Miss Lucy 
Chapin was visiting her brother on her way to 
China, where a missionary post awaited her. 
Knowing Captain Chapin from the stirring days 
of service in Mexico, the two young naval offi- 


14 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


cers, on meeting him here in Manila, the 'Taris 
of the East,^^ had been presented to that charm- 
ing young woman. 

Crossing the roadway near the Old Manila end 
of the bridge, Dave and Dan strolled back. In 
the meantime ^^Burnt-face,’’ as Dan had named 
him, had turned and was heading toward the 
Escolta, the Broadway of New Manila. 

Both young officers wore the white service 
uniform of the tropics. Here and there a soldier 
or sailor, in passing, brought his hand to his cap 
in smart salute, a courtesy which both officers, in 
every instance, returned. 

^That’s our fellow,^' whispered Darrin, slowing 
down his step. 

^^Burnt-face,’’ a man of somewhere near forty, 
if it be possible to judge a Chinaman's age, kept 
on his way at a pace neither hurried nor slow. 
Three different times parties of Chinese coolies 
passed him. On perceiving “Burnt-face" they 
lowered their eyes to the ground in passing. 

Near the end of the bridge two much better 
dressed Chinamen passed the yellow man whom 
the young naval officers were now following. This 
pair made deferential bows, then moved slightly 
aside in order not to compel “Burnt-face" to step 
out of his own course. 

“Our man is a chap of some importance," mur- 
mured Darrin. 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


15 


may be — to a Chinaman!'^ grunted 
Danny Grin. 

Reaching the end of the bridge, the Chinaman 
paused, then started to cross the street as if to 
go to the famous Cafe de Paris. 

Honk! honk! A touring car, going at about 
twelve miles an hour, rolled down out of the 
nearby Escolta, heading for the bridge. With an 
agile bound ‘'Burnt-face’’ leaped back to the side- 
walk. 

“Look at the scowl he’s sending after that car,” 
whispered Dalzell. 

“His lips are moving, too,” returned Darrin, 
quietly observant. “If it weren’t for the look on 
his face I should say that our chap was praying.” 

“In his case,” muttered Dalzell, “he’s more 
likely cursing.” 

“But say,” Dave went on. “Just observe how 
‘Burnt-face’ continues to glare after that car.” 

“Can he have anything against the people in 
the car?” Dan wondered. 

“It is more likely that his hatred is directed 
against the car itself,” Darrin replied. 

“But why should he hate a mere assemblage of 
mechanical units?” Dan demanded. 

“I suppose that, being ^ Chinaman, he regards 
an automobile as the work of the Evil One,” Dave 
smiled. “Your real, old-fashioned Chinaman 
isn’t strong for new-fangled ideas. In some parts 


16 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


of China the appearance of an automobile, even 
to-day, would rouse a mob to wild fury/^ 

‘^Queer old place, China uttered Dalzell. 

^^Since we’re waiting orders to go to China, 
you’ll soon know,” Dave rejoined. 

‘^1 don’t believe I shall like China,” Dan de- 
clared prophetically. 

Now that the road was clear, 'Rurnt-face” 
crossed the street. He did not go to the Cafe de 
Paris, but stepped up in front of a drug store, 
where he halted and turned around. 

In passing, Dave and Dan managed, without 
staring, to get a good look at the yellow face. In 
addition to the purple mark under the right eye, 
‘Rurnt-face,” with his lips parted, displayed one 
incisor tooth, the lower end of which had been 
broken ofP. At the left side of his chin was a 
mark such as might have been made by a knife 
or a bullet. 

^Re’s an ugly-looking customer,” Dan mut- 
tered, when he and his chum had passed a few 
yards beyond the drug store. 

‘That face carries a history,” guessed Darrin. 
“Nor do I believe that it is a very savory history.” 

“I believe that the only real pirates left in the 
world,” observed Dan, “are the Black Flags that 
every now and then infest Chinese waters. I 
wonder if Rurnt-face’ were ever apprenticed to 
the Black Flags.” 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


17 


“Don^t talk about him any more,” murmured 
Dave, after a backward glance. “The Chinaman 
is now returning our late courtesies by following 
us. 

Attracted by the window display of a shop that 
dealt in Hindu curios, the two young naval offi- 
cers went inside. 

“I want to buy something pretty with which 
to surprise Belle,” Dave explained, as the chums 
roamed through the shop, inspecting the hun- 
dreds of quaint and artistic articles offered for 
sale. 

“You expect her to reach Manila the 26th of 
the month, don’t you?” Dan asked. 

“The 16th,” Darrin corrected his chum. 

“Due here in eleven days?” cried Dalzell, shar- 
ing his comrade’s pleasure in the thought. “My, 
Dave, you’re a very lucky young man!” 

“It seems ages since I said good-bye to Belle,” 
Dave went on musingly. “Dan, it almost seems 
as if I had not seen my wife since she and I were 
high school sweethearts.” 

“I can take my oath that you’ve seen her more 
recently than that,” laughed Dan. “Yet I know 
that it must seem a long while between your 
meetings.” 

A Hindu salesman, wearing European clothes, 
topped by a real Hindu turban, now approached 
them. 

£ 4 Dave Darrin on the Asiatic Station 


18 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


‘^Something really nice for a lady/^ Dave 
nodded. 

^Tardon, excellency/^ replied the Hindu, with 
a low bow. “Is the lady — ah — - young?^^ 

“Yes,^^ assented Ensign Darrin. 

“May I — ah — inquire whether the young 
lady be — ah — wife, sweetheart, or sister?'' sug- 
gested the Hindu, with a second bow that was 
lower than the first. 

“Why do you need to know that?" demanded 
Dave, frowning slightly. “She's the finest girl on 
earth. Isn't that enough for you to know?" 

“Then," declared the Hindu imperturably, “she 
is your sweetheart, and in that case I am certain 
that I know exactly what to show you." 

“Oh, you do?" grimaced Ensign Darrin. “Then 
trot out the best you have." 

“Will your excellency condescend to step this 
way?" proposed the Hindu, with the lowest bow 
yet. “I shall exert myself to show you the very 
finest that we have suitable for distinguished 
presentation to a sweetheart." 

Down to a vault, at the rear of the shop, the 
salesman led the way. Opening the vault door 
he nimbly slipped out two trays of exquisite yet 
eccentric Hindu jewelry. 

“Now, let the excellency gloat over these, 
begged the salesman, throwing out a bewildering 
^ray of rings, brooches, amulets, bracelets, neck 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


19 


chains and the like, set in a dazzling array 
of precious and semi-precious gems. 

‘'How much is this chain?'' asked Dave, pick- 
ing up one of beautiful workmanship. 

“The price of that, excellency, is twelve hun- 
dred dollars, but as a very special favor to an 
officer in the Service I will allow it to go out of 
the store at eleven hundred." 

Sighing, Dave laid the chain down. 

“It is not fine enough, I know, excellency," 
glowed the salesman. “Now, look at this chain. 
Is it not handsomer?" 

“Yes," Dave admitted. 

“This chain, excellency, is a wonderful bargain 
at fifteen hundred dollars." 

Dave sighed, but declined to examine the chain. 

“Even if you had the money with you," re- 
marked Danny Grin, “your wife would hardly 
think you displayed good judgment in spending 
almost a year's salary to buy her a chain." 

“Oh, it is for your wife?" exclaimed the Hindu^ 
in an almost shocked voice, 

“Yes," Dave assented. 

“Oh, in that case, excellency — " 

With incredibly rapid movements the Hindu 
put the articles back into the two drawers, shoved 
them into the vault and closed the door. 

“Here you are, excellency!" cried the Oriental, 
springing to a near-by counter. “Here is a chaim 


20 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


of considerable beauty, and it costs but six dol- 
lars/^ 

Giving a momentary gasp, Darrin eyed the fel- 
low, then suddenly reached over and took him 
in a tight collar grip. 

'‘What do you mean, Mr. Insolence?’^ Darrin 
demanded sternly. “Do you wish to insinuate 
that a sweetheart calls for a handsome gift, but 
that anything is good enough for a wife?’^ 

“Er — ah — in my country, excellency, when 
one buys for a sweetheart it is one thing. When 
he buys for a wife — ” 

“Then thank goodness that my country isnT 
your country,’’ uttered Ensign Darrin disgust- 
edly, while Danny Grin implored: 

“Before you let him go, Davy, turn him around 
this way so that I may register at least one kick!” 

But Darrin suddenly released the rather fright- 
ened fellow, saying crisply: 

“Show me some pieces of jewelry at prices 
around fifty dollars.” 

At first the salesman displayed several pieces 
for which he asked from seventy-five to a hun- 
dred dollars. 

“You’re wasting my time, but I won’t waste 
yours,” Dave suddenly broke in, turning away. 

“Wait a moment, excellency. Do you realize, 
excellency, that you have not, in any instance, 
attempted to bargain with me?” 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


21 


you mean that you expect me to work you 
down to a lower price asked Ensign Dalzell, 
lowering his voice. 

^Tt is customary to bargain, excellency,^’ re- 
plied the Hindu, with a bow, though not so low 
as he had displayed at first. 

^T’m not going to bargain with you,” Dave de- 
clared quietly. ‘^At any price you name for an 
article I shall either accept the price, and pay it, 
or else refuse further to consider that article. And 
don’t waste any more of my time. At the first 
sign of it I shall quit your store and not enter it 
again.” 

Still the Hindu tried high prices for a while, 
then suddenly held up a necklace set with small, 
beautiful bits of jade. 

‘'Eighty dollars,” he exclaimed. 

“Mex?” broke in Dan quickly. 

“Of course, excellency,” confirmed the Hindu. 

“See here, David, little giant,” Danny Grin rat- 
tled on, “we’ve been going it a bit blind. We’ve 
been thinking of gold, or American dollars, while 
this man has been talking on the basis of the 
Mexican silver dollar.” 

In the Philippine Islands the Mexican dollar is 
still the basis of currency. As this dollar is worth 
less than half of that amount in gold, the price 
charged by the Hindu, translated into American 
money, amounted to less than forty dollars. 


22 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


^‘I’U take Dave announced, after a keen in- 
spection of the necklace. 

Payment was made, and the necklace was 
placed in a box so small that Ensign Darrin was 
easily able to drop it into one of his pockets. 

From the curb outside a pair of glittering, bead- 
like eyes had peered into the gloom of the store. 

Dave and Dan left the curio shop, the former 
feeling happier at thought of the pleasant sur- 
prise secured for Belle. 

Further up the Escolta there now appeared a 
somewhat Americanized Chinese youth, of per- 
haps sixteen years, who soon started indolently on 
the trail of the strolling naval officers. 

^ Where now?’’ inquired Danny Grin. 

^^Have you anything that you wish to do 
ashore?” Dave asked. 

^^Nothing.” 

‘^Neither have I, so suppose we go down to 
the office of the Captain of the Port. Our launch 
should be in soon.” 

^^Suits me,” nodded Dan. 

These two young officers are the same Dave and 
Dan whose fortunes our readers have followed 
through many volumes full of exciting adven- 
tures and strange incidents. 

Our readers first met them in the pages of the 
‘^Grammar School Boys Series,” in which Dar- 
rin and Dalzell appeared as members of that now 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


23 


famous group of six schoolboys who were collec- 
tively known as Dick & Co., taking that name 
from their leader, Dick Prescott. Their adven- 
tures are further to be found in the High School 
Boys Series, and in the High School Vacation 
Series. 

At the end of high school days Dick Prescott 
and Greg Holmes went to the United States Mil- 
itary Academy at West Point. What there befell 
the two cadets is set forth in the pages of the 
West Point Series. The professional careers of 
Tom Reade and Harry Hazelton, once also of 
Dick & Co., are to be found in the exciting vol- 
umes of the Young Engineers Series. Dave Dar- 
rin and Dan Dalzell, as all our readers are aware, 
were appointed midshipmen at the United States 
Naval Academy at Annapolis, and their lives in 
that famous training school are splendidly de- 
picted in the Annapolis Series. 

The present series, as our readers know, de- 
picts the life of Dave and Dan at sea as young 
officers. The first volume, ^^Dave Darrin at Vera 
Cruz,^’ deals with the famous events suggested by 
the title. In the second volume, ^‘Dave Darrin on 
Mediterranean Service,'' is told what befell our 
young friends in their efforts to frustrate an in- 
ternational plot of possibly grave consequence to 
this country. The third volume, ^^Dave Darrin's 
South American Cruise," which our readers 


24 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


have lately read, deals with the adventures of the 
two young naval officers in foiling the outrageous 
plots of a South American ex-dictator, scheming 
to get back into power. And now, at last, we find 
Dave and Dan on the Asiatic Station. 

Hardly had the naval officers turned out of the 
Escolta, at the water front, when Dan noticed 
that the sidewalk held at least fifty Chinese. 

'This is the greatest of American cities, as far 
as Chinese population goes,’’ smiled Dave. "Ma- 
nila never has less than a hundred thousand 
Chinese residents.” 

Out in the road stood a solitary member of the 
Chinese population. At a signal from the youth 
behind the naval officers, he said a few words in 
guttural undertone. 

Quickly the Chinese came together, jabbering 
and crowding the sidewalk. 

"Gangway!” cried Danny Grin, as he and Dave 
found themselves pressing through the yellow 
throng. 

Slowly, rather indifferently, the Chinese made 
way for the two naval officers to step through 
the crowd. Had Dave and Dan gone out into the 
road to get around this crowd it would have been 
at the expense of their dignity in a city where no 
white man is supposed to allow coolies to block 
his way. 

"Gangway!” roared Dalzell. 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


25 


The Americanized Chinese boy was now close 
beside the naval officers. A small, skinny yellow 
hand reached out. 

‘T^m sure Belle will be delighted with that 
necklace,’’ Dave murmured to himself. 

Alas! That jewel box no longer rested in his 
pocket, for the yellow boy with the bead-like 
eyes, at that very instant, had filched the little 
package. Nor did the picking of the white men’s 
pockets cea^e at that point. 

Once through the throng, the two young en- 
signs were not long in reaching the building in 
which are situated the offices of the Captain of 
the Port. It is opposite this building, on the bank 
of the Pasig River, where launches from naval 
vessels and army transports come in and tie up. 

^^Launch not in,” announced Danny Grin. 

‘We’ll have some minutes to wait,” Dave an- 
swered. “Let’s go over there and get a soda.” 

“Over there” referred to a little white one- 
story building, in which plain soda and similar 
beverages were sold. 

Dave and Dan stepped inside, calling for soda 
water and drinking thirstily. 

“Tastes good,” muttered Dan. “Let’s have 
another.” 

So the second soda was ordered, and was fin- 
ished more slowly. Then Darrin reached into one 
of his pockets. Soon he explored another pocket. 


26 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


“Why, that's queer!" muttered Dave, aloud. 
“I thought my money — " 

“Never mind your money, chum," interrupted 
Dan Dalzell. “I’ll pay for — " 

A few seconds later Dan’s expression changed 
to one of great amazement. 

“Why, w’here is my money?" he gasped. 

“Don’t look for it," returned Dave. “I don’t 
believe you’ll find it. For myself, my pockets 
have been completely cleaned out. I haven’t 
even the necklace that I bought for Belle." 

“Look here!" uttered Danny Grin, his lower 
jaw dropping low, indeed. “Have we been 
robbed? Have our pockets been gone through 
just as if we were a pair of rubes?" 

“Our pockets have been picked all right," Dar- 
rin assented, with a smile. 

“Then it was done while we were in that 
Chinese sidewalk mob!" said Dan, quivering with 
rage. “Just wait until I overhaul ’em, and — " 

Dan sprang outside. His good intentions, how- 
ever, came to naught, for the crowd of Chinese 
had disappeared. 

“It’s a good joke on us," grinned Dave, though 
not very mirthfully. 

“Oh, is it?" flashed back Danny Grin. “Then 
enjoy yourself! Laugh as heartily as you can. 
But I’ve been touched for two hundred and forty 
dollars. How much did you lose?" 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


27 


‘^A hundred and sixty dollars, and the neck- 
lace,’’ confessed Darrin. 

'‘Say,” muttered Ensign Dalzell, another 
strange look coming into his face as he made 
another discovery. 'T wish I could find those 
yellow-faced thieves.” 

"Why?” 

"They overlooked something,” almost exploded 
Dalzell. "They didn’t get my watch. It seems 
to me that it would be no more than honest to 
run after them and hand them that, also.” 

Dan held up his gold watch. 

"They left my watch in my clothes, too,” 
nodded Dave. 

"I wonder why?” murmured Dalzell. 

"Over four hundred dollars, from the two of 
us,” muttered Dave, staring grimly up the road. 
"Not a bad two minutes’ work for some one.” 

"It would make me feel more kindly to the 
poor fellow if only he’d come back and take my 
watch and chain,” declared Danny Grin. "I hate 
to see a poor thief overlook anything of value.” 

"I was wondering,” Dave continued, "whether 
it would do any good to complain to the police. 
On second thought, I believe I shall write the 
chief of police after I go aboard ship. If there’s 
a regular gang working this part of Manila, then 
the police ought to know it, but I’ve no idea that 
the police would be able to get our money back.” 


28 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


“That money has been under cover for some 
minutes/^ rejoined Dalzell. “If youVe any loose 
change you might settle our bill here.” 

“I haven’t a cent,” Darrin confessed. 

But the proprietor of the little shop begged the 
young gentlemen to forget the little bit of small 
change that they owed him. This both Dan and 
Dave refused to do, promising to pay him the 
next time they came ashore. 

No sooner did they step outside than they were 
confronted by a well-dressed, tall young man 
under thirty. 

“I hope you’ll pardon me,” said this stranger, 
with a rather decided English accent, “but I 
couldn’t possibly help overhearing your conversa- 
tion inside. For that reason I know that you 
have had the misfortune to be robbed of your 
money by Chinese thieves. Now — no offense 
intended, I assure you — could I be of any 
manner of use to you? Pembroke is my name, 
you know; Pembroke of Heathshire, England. 
I’m on my way around the world. Now, if be- 
tween one gentlemen and two others, you know, 
I could be of any — ” 

The Englishman paused, as if embarrassed; it 
was plain that he was trying to offer a loan of 
money. 

“I think I understand you, Mr. Pembroke,” 
Ensign Darrin replied, with a grateful smile. “It 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


29 


is extremely kind in you, but the robbery has left 
us embarrassed only for a moment. Both of us 
have funds deposited with the paymaster on 
board ship, and after we go aboard it is only 
a matter of asking for what we need.’^ 

'TouTe not annoyed, I trust,” murmured Pem- 
broke apologetically. 

‘‘No ; profoundly glad to find such faith in hu- 
man nature as you have displayed,” smiled En- 
sign Darrin. 

“Oh, I donT trust the whole blooming human 
race,” declared Mr. Pembroke gravely. “I’m not 
such a simpleton as that. But I know that good 
old Uncle Sam’s officers are gentlemen, and be- 
tween gentlemen, you know, there is and should 
be a lot of jolly confidence.” 

In the easiest way in the world, Mr. Pembroke 
was now sauntering along with the two young 
Americans. 

“Do you know much about the Chinese?” Dave 
inquired. 

“Not enough to make me like ’em a precious 
lot,” replied Pembroke. 

“I wish I could understand their lingo,” mut- 
tered Dalzell. 

“And I’m positively proud that I don’t!” 
glowed Mr. Pembroke. 

They had halted at the water’s edge, now, Dan 
turning his eyes in the direction of the break- 


30 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


water to see if he could make out the launch for 
which he and his chum waited. 

^^Here comes a fuzzy-fuzzy boat,” announced 
Dalzell, at last. ^'But it's not ours. Just as it 
happens, the craft is a Frenchman.” 

Pembroke cast a glance at the approaching 
launch, then went on chatting with Darrin. 

Presently the launch ran in alongside, a mid- 
dle-aged French officer stepping up on the jetty 
not fifty feet from where Dave and his compan- 
ions stood. 

The Frenchman started rather visibly when his 
gaze rested on Pembroke. Dave noticed that. 
And Pembroke saw the Frenchman, for one fleet- 
ing instant. Then the Englishman turned his 
back squarely, while the French naval officer, 
holding himself very erect, and with a frown on 
his face, returned the courteous salute of the 
young American officers. 

^^Do you know that gentleman, Mr. Pem- 
broke?” Dave asked quietly. 

‘^Never saw him before,” declared Mr. Pem- 
broke coldly. 

‘That's odd,” reflected Dave. “If faces are 
books, and if glances may be read, I should have 
said that the Frenchman didn't like our very 
courteous Englishman.” 

The French officer was now passing out of sight. 

“I see our launch,” called out Danny Grin. 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


31 


“I say, Mr. Darrin, by the way,^' spoke up the 
Englishman, “what is your ship?^^ 

“The gunboat ^CastogaV’ Darrin answered. 

“Then, if you don't mind, I'm going to do my- 
self the honor, some afternoon in the near future, 
of going out to your ship and calling on you. I 
find it very dull here in Manila, you know, and I 
shall be glad to see more of you both." 

“We shall undoubtedly meet at one of the 
clubs ashore," Dave smiled back steadily into the 
other's eyes. “In that case. I'll try to introduce 
you to our commanding officer, and I've no doubt 
that he'll be glad to extend you a cordial invita- 
tion to come aboard." 

A few moments later the launch from the 
“Castoga" came gliding in at the jetty. Dave 
and Dan extended their hands to Mr. Pembroke, 
then stepped aboard the launch, leaving the 
Englishman to turn away. 

Nor had he more than turned his back when 
Pembroke allowed a very distinct frown to gather 
on his face. 

In front of the office of the Captain of the Port, 
Pembroke came face to face with the same French 
naval officer. The two men regarded each other 
stolidly and passed on without speaking. 


32 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


CHAPTER II 

THE TRAGEDY OF THE BAY 

T "T THY did you turn the Englishman down 

W so hard?'’ asked Danny Grin, as he and 
Dave sat at the stern of the launch that 
sped down the river and then out to the naval 
anchorage in the bay. 

'T didn’t," Darrin replied. 

‘‘You shut off his proposal to visit us on board." 

“Dan, didn’t you notice the look that French 
naval officer gave Pembroke?’’ 

“No." 

“Perhaps you noticed how stiffiy the French- 
man stepped away after returning our salutes." 

“I saw that," said Dan, “and wondered at it." 

“I think the French officer was trying to flag 
to us an intimation that Pembroke isn’t one who 
would pass inspection in naval circles." 

“No?" gasped Danny Grin, looking genuinely 
astonished. “It never struck me that way. He 
had the appearance and the manners of a gentle- 
man." 

“So has many an international confidence 
man," Dave rejoined. “I don’t know a blessed 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


33 


thing against Pembroke, and perhaps the French- 
man doesn’t either. Unless I can find out some- 
thing definite about the Englishman, I hardly 
care to be the one to introduce him to our little 
wardroom crowd.” 

'T see,” nodded Dalzell thoughtfully. ^'You’re 
right, Dave. One can’t be too careful about his 
introductions, nor can one very well receive call- 
ers on board ship without making them known to 
the other wardroom fellows.” 

After the three battleships on which our young 
naval officers had served, the ^^Castoga” did seem 
small by comparison, although she was a gun- 
boat of comfortable dimensions, with an ample 
wardroom for the number of officers carried, and 
with all the ordinary provisions for comfort 
afloat. 

With a crew of one hundred and thirty sailors, 
supplemented by a detachment of thirty marines; 
with a large enough crew in the engineer’s de- 
partment, and with nine officers, including a 
surgeon and a paymaster’s clerk, in addition to 
three engineer officers, the ‘^Castoga” carried a 
businesslike complement. 

Lieutenant-Commander Tuthill was the com- 
manding officer, with Lieutenant Warden as ex- 
ecutive officer. The four watch officers were all 
ensigns. 

After reporting their return to the officer of the 

3 4 Dave Darrin on the Asiatic Station 


34 : 


DAYE DARRIN ON 


deck, Dave and Dan went promptly to their 
quarters. Here, after bathing, they dressed for 
dinner, which was due to be served in less than 
half an hour. 

At table, later, Dave told the tale of the rob- 
bery that afternoon. Dan added the tale of their 
meeting with Pembroke, and of that English- 
man’s offer to loan them money. 

“What kind of fellow is that Pembroke?” asked 
Lieutenant Warden. 

Dave described the Englishman, adding, ques- 
tioningly: 

“Do you know him, sir, or know of him?” 

“No,” replied Mr. Warden. 

“I thought that Pembroke must be known to a 
Prench naval officer who passed us,” continued 
Darrin, and related that incident, too. 

“The Frenchman’s shrug was nothing against 
the Englishman,” remarked Lieutenant Warden. 
“It might have been merely instinctive aversion, 
or it might mean merely that the Frenchman and 
the Englishman had a dispute in the past, at this 
or some other port. Otherwise it would be odd 
indeed to see a Frenchman turn the cold shoulder 
on an Englishman when their countrymen are 
standing shoulder to shoulder on the long battle 
lines in Europe.” 

“Surely, if the French officer knew Pembroke 
to be a gentleman, he would have rushed up and 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


35 


gripped Pembroke's hand just out of a senti- 
mental feeling for the strong bonds of friendship 
between France and England in these dark days 
in Europe," nodded Dan understandingly. 

^Tembroke wanted to come on board, sir," En- 
sign Darrin went on, ''but I couldn't help feeling 
that, before inviting him, I would like to know 
more about him." 

"Caution of that sort is never amiss," nodded 
the executive officer thoughtfully. "By the way, 
you don't imagine that there could have been 
any connection between the thieving Chinese and 
Mr. Pembroke, do you?" 

"Why, I hadn't thought of it in that way," En- 
sign Darrin confessed. "There isn't usually, is 
there, much connection between a thief who robs 
you and a man who offers to lend you a little 
money?" 

"There might be easily," said Mr. Warden. 

"Our last half hour on shore was a puzzle al- 
together," Dave went on, after a short pause. 
"First, we followed that burnt-face Chinaman. 
Then we ran into a crowd of Chinese who cleaned 
out our pockets of everything but our watches. 
And then we met Pembroke, at whom the French 
officer turned up his nose. I am now actually be- 
ginning to wonder if 'Burnt-face,' the thieves and 
Pembroke may not all be links in a chain of mys- 
tery." 


36 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


“At least Pembroke doesn^t speak or under- 
stand the Chinese language/' Dalzell broke in. 

“He said he didn’t/' Dave returned. “How- 
ever, if Pembroke is not a gentleman and a 
straightforward fellow, it is as easy to believe that 
he lied as that he spoke the truth.” 

“Don't bother any more about it,” advised 
Ensign Hale bluffly. “The money is gone. As 
to the rest of the story, it isn't worth puzzling 
your heads over. Your adventure was all grossly 
material. No such things as mysteries or romances 
are left in the world — nothing but work.” 

“Nevertheless,” smiled Ensign Darrin seri- 
ously, “I shall continue to admit myself puzzled 
until I have succeeded in gathering certain in- 
formation that I really wish.” 

“What kind of information?” asked Hale. 

“For instance, I want to know if 'Burnt-face^ 
has any connection with the yellow boys who 
went through our pockets.” 

“I think that at least half likely,” replied En- 
sign Hale gravely. 

“And then, next, I want to know,” Darrin 
went on, “if there is any connection between 
'Burnt-face' and Pembroke.” 

“That is much less likely,” answered Hale. 

“Last of all, if Pembroke is in the least shady, 
I'd like to know something definite about him,” 
wound up Ensign Dave. 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


37 


“Go to the Frenchman for that/’ advised Hale. 

“Thank you; I believe I shall.” 

“But what does it matter, Darrin,” asked Lieu- 
tenant Warden, “whether Pembroke is all right, 
or not? You turned him aside from visiting this 
craft, so what does it matter whether the fellow 
is a gentleman or the reverse?” 

“Because,” replied Dave Darrin, so solenmly 
that some of his brother officers stared, “I have 
a premonition that I’m going to meet Pembroke 
again, and under conditions where I shall be glad 
to know something definite about the fellow.” 

At eight bells in the evening Ensign Dalzell 
went on duty as officer of the deck. Darrin, 
aroused in season from a nap, took over the watch 
at midnight. 

“Any orders?” asked Darrin of his chum. 

“None, save the usual orders for the safety 
and security of the ship,” Dalzell replied. Sa- 
lutes were exchanged, and the former officer of 
the deck hurried to his quarters. 

A marine sentry paced aft, another forward. 
Six sailormen, including two petty officers, occu- 
pied their posts about the deck and on the bridge. 
Two or three of the engine-room crew were on 
watch below. The others on board slept, for the 
night was clear and the gunboat at anchorage 
half a mile out from the mouth of the Pasig 
River. 


38 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


After the first tour of inspection to see that all 
was snug, Ensign Darrin leaned against the quar- 
ter rail, looking out over the water. By this time 
the sky had clouded somewhat, though the bar- 
ometer remained stationary, showing that no at- 
mospheric disturbances were to be looked for at 
present. 

The night was so still that nothing but the dis- 
cipline of trained habit prevented Ensign Darrin 
from nodding, then falling asleep. 

Even as it was, his eyelids drooped almost to 
the closing point as he leaned there over the rail. 
But he was not asleep. 

After some minutes Dave opened his eyes 
wider, straightened up and glanced out sharply 
over the water, on which objects were not now so 
clearly visible as they had been at midnight. 

“That sounded like a paddle,^’ Darrin told him- 
self, then added, in a low voice: 

“Sentry!’^ 

“Aye, aye, sir,’’ replied the marine, in a low 
voice, at the same time giving the rifle salute. 

“I thought I heard a boat approaching yonder. 
Keep your eye open for any kind of craft coming 
near.” 

“Aye, aye, sir!” 

It was Ensign Darrin who discovered a small, 
outrigger canoe stealing forward in the night. 
Two seconds later the marine also reported it. 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


39 


Calling the nearest sailor to him, Dave gave him 
brief, whispered instructions which sent the 
young man slipping noiselessly forward. 

^^Shall I hail that craft, sir?” whispered the 
sentry, standing stiffly beside the young officer. 

‘'Not yet,” Dave rejoined. Both stood there, 
watching keenly. Few landsmen, on such a 
night, would have been able to make out so small 
a craft at such a distance. Those who follow the 
sea are trained to cat-like vision. 

“Sentry,” whispered Dave, “do you make out a 
second craft, following the first?” 

“Just barely, sir,” replied the sentry, after a 
sharp look. 

Unless the two small craft changed their 
courses speedily Darrin knew that he would have 
to hail them and warn them off. In these piping 
times of peace in the Philippines, there was noth- 
ing very suspicious in two boats coming close to 
a war vessel at anchor. Still, the two canoes 
could not be permitted to come up alongside 
without the occupants first giving an account of 
themselves. 

“It looks like a race,” Dave told himself, as he 
continued to watch intently. “Jove, I am 
tempted to believe that the second canoe is try- 
ing to overtake the leader. What can it — ” 

In the act of bawling an order forward. En- 
sign Dave Darrin felt his tongue hit the roof of 


40 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


his mouth. For, at this instant, the pursuing 
canoe ranged up alongside the first. 

There was a dim flash of something, accom- 
panied by a yell of unearthly terror. 

“Light shouted Dave Darrin huskily. 

“Aye, aye, sir.’' 

In a twinkling, the narrow, dazzling beam of 
one of the forward searchlights shot over the 
water. 

Within three seconds it had picked up the 
smaller of the canoes. To the watchers from the 
deck of the gunboat this canoe appeared to be 
empty. 

Then the light shifted enough to pick up the 
second, larger canoe, now darting shoreward 
under the impetus of two powerful paddlers. 

“Ahoy, there, shorebound boat!” yelled En- 
sign Darrin lustily. “Lay to and give an account 
of yourselves!” 

The challenged canoe moved on so rapidly as 
to call for the constant shifting of the search- 
light’s beam. 

“Lay to, there, or we fire!” bellowed Ensign 
Darrin over the rippling waters of Manila Bay. 

But the canoe made no sign of halting. 

“Sentry!” 

“Aye, aye, sir.” 

“Take aim and hold it!” 

“Aye, aye, sir.” 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


41 


Then again Dave challenged. 

^^Shorebound boat, third challenge! Lay to, 
instantly!'' 

No attention being paid by the two paddlers. 
Ensign Darrin now gave the sharp order: 

^Tire!" 

That bullet must have whistled uncomfortably 
close to the fleeing craft, for on the instant both 
paddlers rose in the canoe, 

^Tire!" commanded Ensign Dave, the second 
time. 

At the sound of the marine's shot both poised 
figures sprang overboard from the canoe. 

^^Shall I fire again, sir?" asked the marine, as 
the beam of the searchlight continued to play 
upon the waters where the divers had vanished. 

“Not unless you see those men that jumped 
overboard from that canoe," replied Ensign Dar- 
rin. 

Though the searchlight continued to flash 
further across the water, nothing was seen of the 
men from the canoe. Indeed, at the distance, the 
rippling waves might easily conceal a swimmer. 

“Pass the word for the boatswain's mate!" 
Darrin ordered. 

As that petty oflScer appeared, Darrin ordered 
him to turn out a boat crew and put one of the 
boats over the side. 

“First investigate the nearer canoe, then the 


42 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


second. Bring them both in alongside. If you 
see any swimmers in the water, pursue and pick 
them up.” 

“Aye, aye, sir.” 

Still the searchlight continued to play over the 
waters. The “Castoga’s” small boat ranged along- 
side the smaller outrigger canoe, and soon had it 
in tow with a line astern. A minute or two 
after the second canoe was picked up. A short 
search was made for swimmers, after which, on 
signal, the boatswain^s mate turned and headed 
for the gunboat. 

“Ship's boat ahoy!” Dave called, as the boat 
and its tows came near. 

“Ahoy the deck, sir!” 

“Are both canoes empty?” Darrin inquired. 

“The first one isn't, sir,” replied the boatswain's 
mate. “There's a dead Chinaman in it. Head 
almost cut off ; sword work, I should say, sir.” 

“Bring both tows alongside,” Dave ordered, 
with a shiver. “I will communicate with the 
police.” 

After ordering a wireless operator turned out, 
Ensign Darrin went over the side, down a sea- 
ladder, to the smaller of the outrigger canoes. 

Huddled in a heap in the canoe, was a China- 
man who did not seem to be more than thirty 
years of age. His head, nearly severed from his 
body, had fallen forward until it hung close to 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


43 


the dead man’s chest. It was only by turning 
the head that Ensign Darrin was able to see the 
face, on which there still lingered a look of terror. 

“A Chinese tong-fight or a gang murder,” Dave 
told himself, in keen disgust. 

Then climbing up over the side he sent an or- 
derly to summon the executive officer. 

Less than three minutes later Lieutenant 
Warden, fully dressed, and wearing his sword, 
walked briskly out upon the quarter-deck. 

The executive officer listened intently while 
Ensign Darrin made his report with conciseness. 

‘Til take a look at the body,” said Mr. Warden, 
and went down over the side. He came up 
again, horror written in every line of his face. 

“A cowardly killing. Ensign Darrin,” declared 
the executive officer. “Notify the Manila police 
by wireless.” 

“Aye, aye, sir.” 

“Call me again, if I am needed.” 

“Aye, aye, sir.” 

The instant Darrin had saluted and Mr. 
Warden had turned on his heel, Dave, under a 
light just inside the superstructure, wrote a few 
words which he signed in his official capacity as 
officer of the deck. This was sent forward to the 
waiting wireless operator, who sent the message 
to a military station on shore, whence the mes- 
sage was telephoned to police headquarters. 


44 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


Within three minutes the wireless operator 
ran aft, saluting, and reported : 

^^A police launch will put off immediately, and 
come out, sir/^ 

Fifteen minutes later a motor launch, flying 
the police ensign, ranged up alongside the ^^Cas- 
toga/’ An American official, accompanied by 
four Filipino policemen, came on board. 

Dave at once narrated what had happened, 
after which the American police official inspected 
both canoes and looked at the huddled yellow 
body. 

‘This wiU require investigation, sir,^’ declared 
the police official. “I shall tow both canoes 
ashore, and then the force will get busy.^^ 

“Don’t you wish to send a wireless ashore, urg- 
ing the police to look out for two swimmers who 
are likely to attempt to land?” suggested Dave. 

“An excellent idea,” replied the police official, 
and wrote out a despatch which Ensign Darrin 
sent to the wireless operator forward. 

After that the launch chugged away with the 
two canoes in tow. 

Twenty minutes later a wireless message was 
received aboard the “Castoga,” and immediately 
the operator brought it aft. 

“Native Policeman Rafeta,” Ensign Darrin 
read, “reports that a Chinese swimmer was ob- 
served, by him, to land. The Chinaman reported 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


45 


that his skiff had upset. Native policeman, not 
being suspicious, reports that he allowed swim- 
mer to proceed on his way. Swimmer is to be 
identified by a fire-mark on the right cheek under 
eye.^’ 

'Burnt-faceM'' gasped Ensign Dave, recoiling 
slightly. 'Then it seems that I was not quit of 
that fellow when I turned my back on him on 
the Escolta this afternoon. In what fiendish 
business can 'Burnt-face' be engaged?" 


CHAPTER III 

MR. PEMBROKE BREAKS IN 

O N the next day the Manilla police had little 
of interest to add to the account of the 
night tragedy on Manilla Bay. 

Searching the city, and especially the Chinese 
quarters, the police had been unable to find any 
yellow man answering to the description of 
"Burnt-face." 

Very likely many of the Chinese residents of 
the city knew the man who was sought, but 
Chinamen habitually mind their own business, 
even to the extent of witholding important infor- 
mation from the police. So within two or three 


46 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


days the chase was all but forgotten. The Chi- 
nese “tongs'^ are secret societies that commit kill- 
ings in all parts of the globe where their people 
are to be found, and the death of an unknown 
Chinaman does not provoke the police anywhere 
to any great zeal in finding the slayer. 

Then the ^'Castoga,’^ which, for reasons known 
only to the higher naval authorities, had been 
anchored half a mile from the mouth of the Pasig, 
was ordered to new anchorage off the naval sta- 
tion at Cavite. 

On board, the oflScers had ceased to speak of 
the strange Chinese tragedy of the night; Dave 
and Dan had well-nigh ceased to think about it. 

One afternoon the French gunboat ^^Revanche'^ 
received visitors. Ensigns Darrin, Dalzell and 
Hale were requested to represent the ^^Castoga^’ 
and did so, going over in the launch. 

On board the French boat they foimd a sprink- 
ling of English and Japanese naval officers. There 
were also a few officers from the United States 
Army. 

Our American friends were introduced to all 
present whom they had not previously known. 
Half an hour later Darrin was inspecting the 
‘ ^Revanche’s’ ^ lifeboat equipment under the es- 
cort of Lieutenant Brun, of the French Navy, 
when a superior officer appeared on deck. It was 
the same officer who had appeared, on shore, to 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


47 


exhibit such marked disapproval of Mr. Pem- 
broke. 

'There’s an officer over there to whom I wish 
you would introduce me,” Dave said to the lieu- 
tenant. 

"With great pleasure,” replied Brun, "as soon 
as our turn comes. That is Commander Ber- 
trand, commanding the 'Revanche.’ All the gen- 
tlemen present will be introduced to him now.” 

"If you don’t mind,” Dave added, quickly, in 
French, "I shall be glad to wait until the last, as 
I should like to have a few words with your 
commander.” 

A group had gathered around Commander Ber- 
trand, who, all smiles and good will, played the 
host to perfection. 

At last Lieutenant Brun led Dave over to be 
introduced. The introduction accomplished, Brun 
moved away a short distance. 

After the first few polite exchanges had been 
made on both sides, Dave asked: 

"Would you object, sir, to telling me whether 
you know a Mr. Pembroke, an Englishman?” 

"I know that it is a well-known English name,” 
replied Commander Bertrand, "but personally I 
know no Englishman of that name.” 

"Do you remember seeing Mr. Dalzell and my- 
self with a man in front of the office of the Cap- 
tain of the Port a few days ago?” 


48 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


recall having passed you,” replied the 
Frenchman readily. 

‘That was Mr. Pembroke with whom we were 
talking.” 

“Was it?” inquired the Frenchman politely, as 
he raised his eyebrows. “Then perhaps I was in 
error. I felt that I had seen the man before, but 
at that time his name was Rogers.” 

“May I inquire, sir, if you know this man 
Rogers?” 

Commander Bertrand shrugged his shoulders 
slightly as he asked: 

“Is he a friend of yours. Monsieur Darrin?” 

“No ; but he had presented himself to Mr. Dal- 
zell and me, and then had offered to do us a ser- 
vice.” 

“I do not believe that I would trust him,” re- 
plied the Frenchman. “I cannot say, positively, 
that Monsieur Rogers and Monsieur Pembroke 
are one and the same man, but this I can assure 
you — that Monsieur Rogers is far from being an 
honest man.” 

Further than that the French officer seemed 
disinclined to discuss the subject. After a brief 
chat on other topics Dave thanked the French 
Commander courteously and moved away. In 
less than two minutes, however, Dave found a 
chance to impart this information briefly to 
Danny Grin. 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


49 


^^Pembroke looks like a good one to dodge/^ de- 
clared Ensign Dalzell. 

'T don't know," returned Dave Darrin. ‘'It 
all hinges on whether he is really the chap who 
once called himself Rogers. Commander Ber- 
trand declined to be positive that they are one 
and the same, though for himself, he seems to 
believe it. However, we are not likely to see 
Pembroke again. He has made no effort to force 
himself upon us." 

Not long after that the launch called, and the 
“Castoga's" visiting officers started to return to 
their own craft. 

“There is some one waving to us," declared 
Dave, staring across the water at the occupants of 
a small motor boat. 

“Why, it looks like Captain Chapin," returned 
Dalzell. 

“It is Chapin, and that is his sister with him," 
returned Dave. “See, she is standing up in the 
bow to wave her handkerchief to us." 

“Chapin ought not to allow her to stand up in 
the bow of such a narrow craft," said Danny Grin. 
“It's a risky pose for any one but a veteran sailor. 
It's dangerous. She — " 

“By Jove!" burst from Darrin. “There she 
goes — overboard ! " 

For a rolling wave, catching the small motor 
boat under the bow, had rocked the little craft. 

4 4 Dave Darrin on (he Asiatic Station 


50 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


Miss Chapin was seen to stagger wildly and 
then plunge overboard. 

^‘They’ve stopped!’’ cried Dan. ‘^She doesn’t 
come up, either!” 

‘^Boatswain’s mate!” rang out Ensign Darrin’s 
voice sharply to the naval launch alongside. “Put 
over there at once. Run astern of the motor 
boat’s position.” 

“Aye, aye, sir,” and the naval launch swung 
briskly around. 

“I beg your pardon. Hale, for forgetting that 
you are ranking oflacer here,” Dave apologized, 
keeping his gaze out over the water. 

“There’s no apology needed,” returned Ensign 
Hale. “Our only need is to reach the spot as 
quickly as possible.” 

The motor boat had stopped. Captain Chapin 
at the first realization of the incident, had leaped 
up, and now stood scanning the water for the first 
glimpse of his sister when she would rise to the 
surface. 

So great was the excitement on the naval 
launch that neither Dave nor Dan really noticed it 
when another man aboard the motor boat rose 
more slowly, showing his head for the first time 
above the gunwale. 

As the motor boat put about on her course 
both Captain Chapin and this other man dived 
overboard. 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


51 


^T wonder if they see Miss Chapin yet?” mut- 
tered Dave, as the naval laimch raced to the 
scene. 

It was speedily apparent that Miss Chapin had 
not yet been found, for both hatless swimmers 
swam about uncertainly, going down head first, 
from time to time, as though to explore the water 
near the surface. 

Then the naval launch plunged into the scene. 
From it dived three ensigns and two sailors 
aboard who were not engaged with the handling 
of the craft. 

With seven expert swimmers now in the water, 
Miss Lucy Chapin stood an excellent chance of 
being found. 

Hardly had the Navy men dived when Captain 
Chapin’s male companion swam with long over- 
hand strokes away from the rest. 

‘T see her!” shouted this swimmer, and dived. 

^^He has her ! ” panted Dalzell. ^^Hooray ! ” 

Instantly six swimmers turned and swam 
toward the rescuer, who now appeared on the sur- 
face supporting a woman’s head on his shoulder. 

^^Good work! Fine!” cheered Dave. 

Captain Chapin was the first to reach his sis- 
ter’s rescuer. 

^Ts Lucy dead?” cried Chapin anxiously, whem 
he beheld his sister’s white face. 

^‘Stunned,” replied the rescuer. think she 


52 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


must have been struck on the head by the boat 
as it passed her” 

Silently the other swimmers turned in behind 
the young woman, her rescuer and brother. 

“Better bring Miss Chapin to the 'Castoga's’ 
boat, Captain,’^ Dave called. “It^s larger. Well 
take her directly to the gunboat and have the 
surgeon attend her.’’ 

The boatswain’s mate ran the naval launch up 
within easy distance, and Miss Chapin was lifted 
aboard. 

On one of the cushions Miss Chapin was laid, 
while all gathered about her anxiously. 

“Make the 'Castoga’ with all speed,” ordered 
Ensign Hale. “The young lady must have 
prompt attention.” 

On the way to the “Castoga” Captain Chapin 
did everything he could think of to revive his 
sister. The others stood about, ready to help. 

Then it was that Dave happened, for the first 
time, to face the rescuer. 

“Pembroke!” he called in astonishment. 

“Howdy do?” asked the Englishman, with a 
smile holding out his hand. 

Though Dave felt himself chilling with sus- 
picion of the pleasant stranger, he could not 
withhold his hand. 

“I was on my way out to visit your ship,” 
smiled Pembroke, as he released Dave’s hand 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


53 


after a warm grip. ^'Captain Chapin was good 
enough to say that he would present me on 
board/’ 

^^And glad indeed I am that I undertook to do 
so/’ exclaimed Chapin. ^Tf it hadn’t been for 
you, Pembroke, I am afraid my sister would have 
been lost.” 

Pembroke was now engaged in shaking hands 
with Dalzell, who felt obliged to present him to 
Ensign Hale. 

^^A splendid rescue, that,” said Hale warmly. 

The gunboat’s launch was now speedily along- 
side the ^^Castoga,” the motor boat, a small craft 
that carried passengers on the bay for hire, fol- 
lowing at slower speed. 

^We’ve a half-drowned young lady on board, 
who needs the surgeon’s attention,” called Hale, 
between his hands, just before the launch ran 
alongside. 

Miss Chapin was immediately taken on board, 
and carried to the quarters of the executive offi- 
cer, where she was laid in a bunk. Only her 
brother and the surgeon remained with her. 

Dave felt obliged to introduce Pembroke to his 
brother officers. The Englishman proceeded to 
make their acquaintance with evident delight. 

Five minutes later the executive officer recov- 
ered his presence of mind sufficiently to send 
ashore to Cavite for dry garments of a size suit- 


54 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


able for Miss Chapin^s use. In an hour or two 
that young lady, revived and attired in dry cloth- 
ing, was brought on deck on her brother's arm. 
She was weak, but out of danger. 

^‘We came out in order to make a call aboard,^’ 
Captain Chapin explained to the ofl&cers under 
the quarter-deck awning, ^‘but we had no idea 
we were going to make such a sensational visit.’^ 

‘‘1 fancy that women are always nuisances 
aboard naval craft,’^ smiled Miss Chapin, where- 
upon the assembled officers promptly assured her 
that women were nothing of the sort. 

In the meantime the three officers who had 
leaped over into the bay had had time to change 
their clothing. It became a merry party on deck. 

Up to Mr. Warden stepped a messenger, sa- 
luting. 

“The Lieutenant Commander’s compliments, 
sir, and will the executive officer report to the 
Lieutenant Commander at once?” 

“Immediately,” replied Lieutenant Warden, re- 
turning the salute, taking his brief adieu by 
merely raising his uniform cap before he left the 
party. 

Ten minutes later Lieutenant Warden stepped 
briskly on deck. He paused long enough to say 
something in an undertone to the officer of the 
deck, who smartly passed the word for a mes- 
senger. 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


55 


‘T am sorry to announce/^ said the executive 
officer, approaching the group of officers who sur- 
rounded Miss Chapin, ^That our pleasant days in 
Manila are ended for the present.’’ 

‘T should say so,” cried Captain Chapin. ^There 
goes your recall flag to the mast-head.” 

^^Right!” replied Mr. Warden crisply. ‘^Our 
sailing orders have just been wirelessed from 
shore. We sail at seven this evening, if our few 
men on shore leave can be recalled in that time. 
Mr. Hale, you are to take the launch and go 
ashore after the leave men.” 

^Wery good, sir,” replied that ensign, saluting, 
next raising his cap to Miss Chapin and hasten- 
ing away. 

^^Leaving, are you?” asked Pembroke, in a tone 
of regret. ^‘And what is your destination?” 

^^China,” rejoined Lieutenant Warden tersely. 

The Englishman’s face changed expression. 

‘‘Not — ” he stammered. “Not the — ” 

“For the Nung-kiang River,” replied the execu- 
tive officer. 

Dave Darrin and Dan Dalzell were the only 
ones present who caught the strange, fleeting 
look that passed over the face of Pembroke. 

“Why can this Englishman object to our going 
to the Nung-kiang River?” Ensign Darrin won- 
dered. “What interest can he take in any mis- 
sion of ours there?” 


56 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


CHAPTER IV 

THE LANDING PARTY AT NU-PING 

r I HAT ought to hold the pirates for a little 
I while/' declared Danny Grin, his good- 
natured face looking unusually grim. 

^T think it will," replied Dave, halting before 
his cabin door. “Dan Dalzell, if my face is as 
dirty as yours I shouldn’t care to walk up Main 
Street in my native town." 

“Go in and look at yourself/^ scoffed Dalzell. 

“It’s fully as dirty," called Dave, from the in- 
terior of his cabin, surveying himself in the glass. 

But it was as honorable dirt as any man may 
have on his face — the grime of powder-smoke 
as it blew back when the gunboat’s five-inch guns 
had been swung open at the breech. 

For the “Castoga," intercepted by wireless on 
the way to the Nung-kiang, had been sent to 
Hong Kong by an oflScial order from Washington. 
The threatened troubles along the Nung-kiang 
had quieted down to such an extent that cautious 
officials in Washington dreaded lest Chinese sen- 
sibilities should be wounded by the sending of a 
gunboat up the river. 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


57 


So, day after day, the “Castoga’' had lain in 
the mountain-bordered harbor at Hong Kong. 

Then came the word one day that the Chinese 
rebels in the district aroimd the city of Nu-ping, 
on the Nung-kiang Hiver, had again become 
troublesome, and that the American mission 
buildings at Nu-ping were threatened. The ^^Cas- 
toga’^ had been ordered to proceed at full speed, 
she being the nearest craft of a draft light enough 
to ascend the river. 

During the last hours of darkness the gunboat 
had steamed up the river, all eyes on board turned 
toward the sinister red glow that lighted the sky 
above the Chinese city, capital of a province. 

Just before daylight the gunboat dropped 
anchor with every man and ofl&cer at quarters. 

From shore came the sound of rifle shots, a 
wild pandemonium of yells, as thousands of 
raging Chinese surged upon the mission build- 
ings, to which fire had already been set, and 
from which the American missionaries and their 
families, aided by the white residents of Nu- 
ping, were making the only resistance that lay 
within their power. 

The first note of cheer that came to the mis- 
sionaries and their friends was the whistle of the 
gunboat, sounding clearly when still two miles 
distant. Then the lights of .the fighting craft 
came into sight. 


58 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


For a few minutes after coming to anchor, the 
commander of the ^^Castoga” was forced to wait 
for sufficient dayhght to enable him to distin- 
guish accurately between friend and foe. 

At the side of the gunboat a launch and four 
cutters waited, to carry a landing party, if the 
sending ashore of men should prove to be neces- 
sary. Anxiously, using his night glasses every 
minute, the American commander paced the deck 
and listened. 

Then, when there was barely enough light, 
vrord was telephoned to the division officers to be- 
gin action. 

Boom! spoke the first gun from the gunboat. 
Other shots followed rapidly. 

In the compound before the burning mission 
buildings was a mass of yellow fiends, crowding, 
yelling and shooting. From the windows of such 
portions of the burning buildings as were still 
tenable American rifle fire was poured into the 
mob. 

That first shell, landing among the yellow 
fiends, killed more than twenty Mongols, 
wounded others, and drove the attackers out of 
the compound. 

Boom! Bang! Other shells flew through the 
air, clearing away the rabble further back. 

From the mission buildings, a quarter of a 
mile away, went up a wild cheer of hope. 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


59 


But the attacking rabble, despite the first shell 
fire, came back, inviting further punishment. 

Again the gunboat's five-inch guns roared out. 
There was now sufficient light to enable the 
American gunners to make out the locations of 
the mob. 

At least thirty shells were fired ere the rebels 
beat a retreat beyond the confines of Nu-ping. 

It was time to stop firing, for some of the 
American shells had set fire to Chinese dwellings 
and business buildings. 

On a low hill, a quarter of a mile away from the 
burning mission buildings, fiew the Chinese fiag, 
flanked by the flag of the governor of the prov- 
ince. 

Watching this yamen, or palace, the American 
officers saw a body of not more than a hundred 
soldiers issue suddenly from behind the walls. 
Straight to the mission hurried these tardy fight- 
ing men. Though late in acting, the Chinese 
governor was sending an invitation to the en- 
dangered missionaries and their friends to share 
the hospitality and protection of his yamen. 

^^He might have done that before," muttered 
Dan Dalzell. 

'Tf he has so few Chinese soldiers," Dave ex- 
plained, ^die never could have driven back the 
thousands of rebels. Our friend, the governor, is 
cautious, surely, but plainly he is no fool." 


60 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


Once the bombardment had stopped, the va- 
rious officers, except one division officer, had been 
ordered to their quarters to clean up and put on 
fresh uniforms, for the work of the day was by 
no means finished. 

So back to their quarters hurried the released 
division officers. 

Dave Darrin quickly divested himself of his 
dungaree working clothes, then stripped entirely, 
going under a shower bath. From this he 
emerged and rubbed down, drew on fresh under- 
clothing, a clean shirt, and hastily completed his 
toilet. 

At that instant there came a summons at the 
door, with an order for Ensign Darrin to attire 
himself in khaki uniform. The same order was 
delivered to Dan. 

‘landing party work,^^ was the thought that 
leaped instantly into the minds of both. 

Nor were they disappointed. Into the launch, 
with several other boats alongside, tumbled forty 
sailors and twelve marines, armed, and with rapid- 
fire guns and ammunition. In one of the other 
boats were additional cases of ammunition; in 
others were commissary supplies. 

Dave received his orders from Executive Offi- 
cer Warden. 

“You will go ashore. Ensign Darrin, and at all 
hazards reach our fellow Americans. What you 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


61 


shall do on reaching them will depend upon cir- 
cumstances and upon instructions signaled to you 
from this ship. Ensign Dalzell will accompany 
you as next in command. On board we shall keep 
vigilant watch, and you may rely upon such 
backing as our guns can give you in any emer- 
gency that may come up.'' 

Dave saluted, with a hearty ‘^Very good, sir," 
but asked no questions. None were necessary. 

In another moment the landing party had 
been reinforced by a petty officer and three men 
who were to bring the boats back to the ^^Cas- 
toga." 

Casting ofP, the launch headed shoreward, tow- 
ing the boats astern. 

Within three minutes, landing had been made 
at one of the smaller docks. 

‘T don't see any reception committee here to 
welcome us," muttered Ensign Dalzell. 

^Trobably all of the natives, who are curious 
by nature, are watching the burning of the build- 
ings that our shells set on fire," returned Ensign 
Darrin. “But I'm glad there's no reception party 
here, for undoubtedly it would be an armed 
committee." 

As soon as landing had been effected, however, 
a petty officer, who was sent forward with three 
men, succeeded in routing out a number of sturdy, 
sullen coolies, who had been hiding in a near-by 


62 


DAVE DAERIN ON 


warehouse. These yellow men the petty officer 
marched back briskly, the coolies being forced 
to pick up and carry the ammunition and food 
supplies. 

^'See to it that these Chinese don’t try to run 
away with the stuff,” Dave ordered tersely. 
“Keep them under close guard.” 

“Aye, aye, sir.” 

At the word from Darrin, Dalzell ordered the 
sailors to fall in and lead the way in double file, 
the marines marching at the rear of the little 
baggage train. 

“Straight to the yamen!” commanded Darrin, 
as he gave Dan the forward order, then fell back 
to keep an eye over the conduct of the porters. 

For the first block of the march through the 
narrow, foul-smelling streets, the natives con- 
tented themselves with glancing sullenly out at 
the handful of daring invaders. But a turn in 
the street brought the American naval men in 
sight of an angry-looking crowd of nearly a thou- 
sand Chinese — all men. 

“Are they going to block our way?” whispered 
Dan, marching quietly on when Dave hastened 
to his side. 

“They are not,” Darrin answered bluntly, 
“though they may try to. No one is going to 
block us to-day until we have used all our ammu- 
nition.” 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


63 


‘‘That has the good old Yankee sound/^, ginned 
Dalzell. 

Seeing that the sullen crowd was massing, En- 
sign Darrin went forward, hastening in advance 
of his little column. 

“Is there any one here who speaks English?'' 
Dave called pleasantly, above the dead hush of 
that stolid Chinese crowd. 

There was no answer. 

“All right then," smiled Ensign Darrin, “I 
shaU have to talk to you by sign language. 
Make way, please!" 

Drawing his sword, he signed to the Chinese to 
make way for his command to pass. Still no 
response. 

Ensign Dan, marching his men on, came up to 
Dave's side. 

“Column halt!" Ensign Darrin called promptly. 
“Order arms. Draw bayonets. Fix bayonets!" 

With a rattling of steel, accompanied by many 
grins, sailors and marines alike obeyed. 

“Once more, I call upon you to make way!" 
called Dave, striding forward and endeavoring to 
wave the crowd aside by gestures with his sword. 
Still nobody moved. 

“Ensign Dalzell," rapped out the sharp order, 
“form two platoons extending across the street 
in close order. Give promptly the order to 
charge." 


64 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


As he gave this command Darrin stepped back, 
placing himself at the extreme right of the first 
short platoon. 

‘^Charge bayonets ordered Dan. 

Dave led the men forward, Dalzell remaining 
behind with the remainder of the little command. 

Finding the points of the bayonets at their 
breasts, the Chinese gave utterance to cries of 
fright. There was a backward surge. 

^'Halt!” cried Dave, just in time to prevent 
some of the Chinese from feeling cold American 
steel. ‘^Steady! Forward march! Hep, hep, 
hep!” 

Emphasizing the speed of the step with his 
^^hep, hep,” Dave now continued his squad 
at a brisk walk, giving the yellow natives time 
to make their retreat without trampling one an- 
other. 

At the next corner the Chinese surged off at 
right angles in two directions. 

guess well find the rest of the way clear 
enough,” smiled Ensign Dave, again forming his 
men in double file and falling back to Dan’s side. 
The Mongols had me scared. I was afraid I’d 
have to order the men to load and fire.” 

^'Would you have done that?” asked Dalzell. 

^^Why not?” asked Dave, with a shrug of his 
shoulders. ‘^There are American women up at 
the yamen, and they are still in peril. My orders 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


65 


are to reach the yamen, and I propose to do it if 
it be possible. If any yellow men try to block 
our way they will do so at their own risk. I’ll 
charge or fire into any crowd or force that blocks 
our way.” 

''Good!” chuckled Ensign Dan. "I like the 
sound of that talk!” 

Down by the river front, save for the ware- 
houses, the buildings were of the meanest — 
flimsy affairs of bamboo, with cheaply lacquered 
facings, windows of oiled paper and floors of 
earth. Now, however, the little naval column 
began to pass through a better part of the city. 
Here the houses were of wood, substantially built, 
and of pagoda or tent patterns. Not a few of 
these dwellings were surrounded by compounds, 
or yards, enclosed by high stone walls. 

And then, at last, in the heart of the city, the 
column came out upon the low hillside on which 
was the great square surroimding the governor’s 
yamen. 

None in front opposed Darrin’s command, but 
a crowd that must have numbered two thousand 
followed close at the heels of the detachment. 

"Going to halt in the center of the square?” 
Dan inquired in a low tone. 

"No,” rejoined Ensign Dave. "I shall march 
up to the main gate in the compound wall.” 

"And then — ?” inquired Dalzell. 

6 \ The Asiatic Station 


66 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


“I shall demand to be admitted to the Ameri- 
can refugees/' 

^‘And if you are refused?" pressed Dan. 

^That will be the governor’s worry/’ replied 
Dave quietly. 


CHAPTER V 

SIN TOO HAS HIS DOUBTS 

I T was a gray stone wall, some twelve feet 
high, that surrounded the compound of the 
yamen. Sentries in the uniform of Chinese 
soldiery were pacing the top of this formidable 
rampart. 

Over the walls could be seen the strange, grace- 
fully arched red and yellow roofs of the several 
large and the few small buildings of the yamen. 

Under the gray walls, on the outside, crouched 
a few mangy-looking beggars. Men and women 
of this type always loiter outside of every yamen, 
trusting to the occasional generosity of the high 
official who resides within, for in China every 
mandarin, governor and other high official must 
always be a good deal of an alms-giver. 

Not even the sight of the heavily armed little 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


67 


American column stirred these beggars beyond 
the most ordinary exhibition of curiosity. 

'Tut the column to the right oblique, and go 
over to that gate,^^ directed Dave, pointing with 
his drawn sword. 

A moment later the command, "Halt!” rang 
out. From the ramparts above three Chinese 
soldiers gazed down stolidly. 

Striding forward to the gong that hung before 
the gate. Ensign Darrin struck it loudly three 
times. 

A minute passed without answer. Dave sounded 
thrice again. Another minute passed. 

"Confound those fellows inside,” muttered 
Dave to his chum. "IVe heard, before this, that 
the Chinese official tries to show his contempt for 
western barbarians by making them await his 
pleasure.” 

Glancing down his line, Darrin noted a sailor 
who was well known for his physical powers. 

"Henshaw!” summoned Dave crisply. 

Leaving the ranks. Seaman Henshaw stepped 
briskly forward, saluting respectfully. 

"Henshaw, do you think you could play a loud 
tune on this gong?” 

"Aye, aye, sir.” 

"How long do you think you could keep that 
tune going?” 

"An hour, anyway, sir.” 


68 


DAVE DAERIN 


‘^Can you play that gong like a bass-drum?” 

“Like a whole drum-corps, sir,” answered Sea- 
man Henshaw, with just the suspicion of a grin. 

“Then fall to, Henshaw.” 

Picking up the fancifully carved stick. Seaman 
Henshaw faced the three-foot gong. 

Bang! crash! zim! zoum! smash! It was a 
lusty tattoo that Seaman Henshaw beat upon 
that resounding metal. The noise could have 
been heard a mile away, Dave afterwards learned 
that every sound was distinctly heard on board 
the gunboat. 

Bim! bam! whang! After a full minute of it 
Seaman Henshaw looked as if he were still en- 
joying his task. Several of the men in the wait- 
ing column had grounded their rifle butts that 
they might hold at least one hand to an ear to 
shut out the din. 

On the wall overhead the Chinese sentries 
moved uneasily away from close quarters. 

Crash! zam! bing! That gong rang forth as, 
it is safe to say, it had not done before in cen- 
turies, for Henshaw was a young giant and proud 
of his muscle and endurance. 

Zim! zim! zam! The racket was more than 
ears could endure for a long stretch. 

At about the end of the third minute the 
double gates were thrown suddenly open. In the 
open gateway stood at least a score of armed sol- 



70 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


diers, at their head a young Chinaman, tall, well- 
dressed and of rather commanding appearance. 

Instantly Ensign Darrin pressed Henshaw^s 
unemployed arm. With a final crash the pound- 
ing of the gong died out. 

^^His excellency, the governor, demands to 
know why this din is being made at this gate,’^ 
declared the tall young Chinaman, in a haughty 
voice, but in excellent English. 

^‘It is my way of announcing my call,^^ Dave 
replied. 

‘Who are you?” 

“Ensign Darrin, United States Navy, very 
much at your service, sir,” Dave replied. “And 
now, sir, I have the honor to request that you, 
also, announce your name and position here.” 

“Since I serve his excellency, the governor, that 
is enough for you to know,” replied the China- 
man. “However, I will state that my name is 
Sin Foo. I am under secretary to his excellency, 
and, as such, I have come to bring word to you 
that it is his excellency's pleasure that you depart 
from this neighborhood and return to your ves- 
sel.” 

“I am very sorry, Mr. Sin Foo,” Dave re- 
sponded, “but it is impossible for me to make my 
call on a proxy. I must see his excellency in 
person.” 

“I am very sorry,” replied the secretary, speak- 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


71 


ing in a tone of cold contempt, '^but his excellency 
cannot see you so early in the day. Later — ” 

^^Attention,’^ called Ensign Dave, in a low 
voice. ^^Column, forward march 

Instantly the naval line moved forward. 
Shocked and indignant, the secretary spoke in 
Chinese to some of the soldiers. The big gate be- 
gan to move as though it would shut. 

‘‘At the double quick ! Charge ! shouted Dave 
Darrin, leaping forward, brandishing his sword. 

In a twinkling the first dozen seamen, headed 
by two ofl&cers, had rushed into the compound. 

At one side stood two Chinese soldiers, work- 
ing a cumbersome wheel, attached to a windlass 
and rope that moved the double gate. Henshaw 
leaped at this pair, knocking both down. 

“I must warn you. Ensign Darrin,^’ shouted 
Sin Foo, his face purple with rage, “that this con- 
duct of yours is contrary to the usages of respect 
that must be observed between the representa- 
tives of two great countries. Your conduct, sir, 
is an outrage!’^ 

“And the governor’s conduct also is an out- 
rage,” Darrin retorted sternly, “in allowing mobs 
to burn the mission buildings and all but take 
the lives of the American missionaries and their 
families.” 

“All the mission Americans are safe at this 
yamen,” retorted Sin Foo. “There is no need to 


72 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


fear for your fellow Americans. They are safe 
and under the immediate protection of his ex- 
cellency, the governor.^^ 

^'That is what I have come to see about, Dave 
declared. ^‘Mr. Sin Foo, I have no wish to be 
lacking in courtesy, and I shall display as much 
as I can, under the circumstances. But my men 
are now inside the compound, and here they will 
remain until my orders are changed by my com- 
manding officer. 

Though the Chinese soldiers had withdrawn to 
varying distances before the harmless bayonet 
rush, Sin Foo remained and faced Ensign Darrin 
with every sign of indignant disapproval in his 
almond-shaped eyes. 

The impressed Chinese porters had been driven 
into the compound, where they dropped their 
burdens. Dan quietly paid them off with silver 
coins. The instant they found themselves per- 
mitted to leave, these sullen coolies fairly flew 
out through the still open gate. 

^^Sir,’' began Sin Foo again, speaking with great 
haughtiness, ^flf these supplies are intended for 
the American missionaries, I will undertake to re- 
ceive them on behalf of your countrymen, but I 
must once more, and for the last time, insist that 
you withdraw your men from this compound. If 
you do not instantly withdraw, it will provoke 
grave trouble between your country and mine.*’ 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


73 


^^Mr. Sin Foo/' Dave replied, speaking pleas- 
antly, and smiling, “I wish to treat you, and all 
other Chinese officials with every mark of cour- 
tesy. I must make it plain, however, that I shall 
not leave this yamen until I have been so ordered 
by my commanding officer. Moreover, I am 
under strict orders to see the American mission 
party at once, and I must very respectfully insist 
upon no more delay. I demand, sir, to see Bishop 
T^itlock first of all.” 

‘‘Ensign Darrin, your language is insolent!” 
cried Sin Foo angrily. 

“My talk will quickly change to acts, if my 
requests are not at once granted,” replied Dave, 
firmly. 

“‘Acts^? What do you mean by that word?” 
demanded Sin Foo. 

“I mean that if Bishop Whitlock and his 
friends are not at once produced, I shall be under 
the necessity of. searching the yamen for them,” 
Ensign Darrin rejoined. 

“Search the yamen?” gasped Sin Foo incredu- 
lously. “Would you dare profane the sovereignty 
of China?” 

“Ill do it in just five minutes, if my request is 
not heeded,” retorted Ensign Dave drawing out 
his watch. 

By this time at least one hundred and fifty 
armed Chinese soldiers had appeared, on the ram- 


74 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


parts, in the compound, in the doorways and 
windows of the buildings. Darrin^s force was 
much inferior numerically. Sudden treachery on 
the part of the Chinese might cut the American 
naval force in two, but Danny Grin was keeping 
alert watch on all Chinese in sight. 

^'You are making a grave mis — began Sin 
Eoo loftily. 

^‘And you have already lost forty-five seconds 
of that five minutes,” Ensign Dave suggested, 
still standing, watch in hand. ^^If you use up the 
time in conversation, Mr. Sin Foo, I shall not 
grant a grace of even five seconds.” 

“Your insolence, sir, overwhelms me,” replied 
the under secretary. “Shudderingly, I shall take 
it into the presence of his excellency.” 

“And impress upon his excellency, if you 
please, that I am not going to lose time,” an- 
swered Dave, again glancing at his watch. 

Turning on his heel. Sin Foo disappeared 
through a near-by door of one of the buildings. 

Several minutes slipped by. Dave glanced fre- 
quently at the hands of his watch. 

“The time is nearly up, Dan,” he announced, at 
last. “You remain in command of the marines 
and guard our ammunition and other stores. At 
the second of five minutes I shall form the sailor- 
men and march through this yamen until I find 
the missionary party.” 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


75 


Danny Grin nodded gravely. 

^^Seamen fall in!’^ called Ensign Darrin, replac- 
ing his watch in his pocket. '‘Forward, guard 
left, mar — ” 

"Stop cried a ringing voice. Out of the door- 
way through which he had vanished appeared Sin 
Foo, running and waving his arms. 

"The governor's answer?" Dave curtly de- 
manded, turning upon his heel. 

"I will take you to the missionary party," con- 
ceded Sin Foo. 

"Very well; step with me, then, and lead the 
way." 

"But you must not take an armed party with 
you," protested Sin Foo, looking very much 
aghast. 

"My men go with me," Dave replied firmly. 
"Sir, we cannot have any more nonsense. I am 
convinced that my countrymen must be prison- 
ers, else they would have come out to greet me be- 
fore this. Lead the way, and I will march my men 
behind you." 

Looking as though he would very much like to 
say a good deal. Sin Foo led the way around the 
buildings to the left, thence to the farthest build- 
ing of all at the rear of the compound. Scattered 
around the outside of this building were nearly a 
score of Chinese soldiers carrying their rifles at 
shoulder arms. 


76 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


*Tou have kept the Americans as prisoners, 
just as I suspected/^ charged Ensign Darrin, turn- 
ing accusingly upon the under secretary. 

'^And you forget, Ensign Darrin,'^ retorted Sin 
Foo, ^'that his excellency the governor commands 
here.’’ 

''We’ll let it go at that,” answered the young 
ensign, "provided your governor doesn’t attempt 
to put any crimps in the safety or liberty of my 
countrymen. Right now, be good enough to 
•rder your soldiers away so that there may be no 
clash between them and my men.” 

Through the windows of the one-story building 
Dave Darrin could see several faces of men and 
women looking eagerly out. 

Sullenly, Sin Foo spoke to the Chinese soldiers, 
who, saluting, withdrew to a distance, though 
they did not leave the scene. Then a door was 
flung open, and American citizens began to pour 
out. 

Darting through the foremost of the throng 
was one handsome young American woman, who, 
holding her arms outstretched, while eager tears 
of gladness glistened in her eyes, cried: 

"Dave!” 

It was Belle Darrin, once Belle Meade, Dave’s 
schoolgirl sweetheart then, and now his wife. 

"You, Belle?” he exclaimed, almost incredu- 
lously, as he embraced her. "I thought you were 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


77 


in Manila, awaiting word when and where to join 
me/' 

“I couldn't wait any longer to join you, so I 
came up in the last steamer from Manila, and 
transferred to a river boat at the foot of the 
river. Aren't you glad to see me?" 

‘^Glad, indeed ! " Dave embraced her again. But 
he was on duty, and most urgent duty at that. 
Even further conversation with his beloved wife 
must wait until he had rightful leisure. 

Then his eye fell upon another in the little 
throng. 

“You here, Mr. Pembroke?" Ensign Darrin in- 
quired. 

“Yes," confessed the Englishman. “I'm a bit 
of a rover, you know. Never know where I shall 
be next." 

“And Mr. Pembroke has been extremely kind 
in helping me on the journey," Belle added 
brightly. “Mr. Pembroke told me that he had 
met you in Manila." 

Though Dave bowed courteously he couldn't 
help feeling dislike of this smooth-talking Pem- 
broke. The latter was an Englishman; then, 
unless he was serving his country in this part of 
the world, why wasn't the fellow at home, doing 
his bit of military service for Britain? He was 
young enough, and able-bodied, and England was 
calling all her younger men to the colors. T® 


78 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


Darrin^s mind it was a sheer confession of dis- 
grace for Pembroke to admit that he was merely 
touring the world at a time when England was 
demanding service on the battle field from every 
young Briton who was not otherwise engaged in 
serving his country. 

“When you have time, Mr. Darrin, I'll claim 
just a word of greeting," said a soft voice, and a 
gloved hand was held out to Dave. 

“So you came through also. Miss Chapin?" 
Dave inquired, as he took Lucy Chapin's hand. 

“I'm glad to see you, but sorry you're here," 
rejoined Dave. 

“Why sorry to see me here?" inquired Miss 
Chapin. “Aren't we now under the protection of 
the American Navy?" 

“Every sailorman on the 'Castoga' will die will- 
ingly in defense of this party," Darrin told her, 
“but the trouble may easily assume such propor- 
tions that our little force will prove wholly in- 
adequate." 

Then, glancing swiftly over the missionary 
party, the young naval oflScer added : 

“Will some one kindly introduce me to Bishop 
Whitlock?" 

As Dave had expected, it was one of the three 
white-haired men of the party who now pressed 
forward. Mrs. Darrin introduced her husWd to 
the bishop. 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


79 


'‘You reached us not a bit too early/’ the bishop 
assured Dave. 

"You were practically prisoners in the yamen, 
sir?” Dave asked. 

"Almost, I fear, though we refused to give up 
our arms. Even now seven of our men are in- 
side keeping guard over our weapons.” 

"How many rifles do you have?” Dave asked. 

"Thirty-two,” answered the bishop promptly. 
"The American residents of the city flocked to 
our defense.” 

"From what I saw from the ship’s deck,” re- 
joined Darrin, "all I can say is that you presented 
a magnificent front with only thirty- two rifles. 
As I have but fifty-two naval rifles with me, that 
makes up a total force of only eighty-four rifles.” 

"Can’t we get through to the water-front?” in- 
quired Belle. "For you are going to take us to 
the ‘Castoga,’ are you not?” 

"If we can safely get there,” Dave replied. 
"And now I must drop everything else until I 
have communicated with the gunboat. Bishop, 
did you lose any of your party?” 

"None of the white members,” replied the mis- 
sionary. "Our sixteen Chinese converts at the 
mission insisted on taking care of themselves. 
Whether any of them has been killed, I do not 
know.” 

"I must get a signalman up on the walls,” Dave 


80 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


continued. ^'Bishop, will you kindly see, sir, 
that your party follows my men? I am going to 
the other side of the compound.^^ 

As soon as Belle Darrin caught sight of her 
old school friend, Danny Grin, she hurried for- 
ward to greet him. 

Out of the main building of the yamen came 
Sin Foo, with sullen, offended face and stately 
tread. 

^^Sir,^^ called Dave, must put a signalman up 
on the ramparts.’’ 

^^Since you take everything into your own 
hands,” replied the secretary coldly, '^you do not 
need his excellency’s permission. Yet I am 
charged to say that aU you do here is against the 
protest of his excellency, and complaint will be 
made to your government.” 

am sorry, sir, to seem to show discourtesy,” 
Ensign Dave replied, ‘^but all that I do here is 
under general instructions from the highest rep- 
resentative of my government in these waters.” 

With that Dave called a signalman to him, 
gave him a message, and directed six other sailors 
to climb, with the signalman, the inside steps 
that led to the rampart. 

No sooner had the signalman, in the lead, 
gained the rampart, than a five-inch gun on the 
^^Castoga” boomed out. 

''Ensign Darrin, sir,” bawled down the signal- 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


81 


man lustily, 'T think you will be glad to be up 
here, to see what is going on.” 

Dropping Belle’s hand, which he had just 
taken. Ensign Dave darted up the steps, uttering, 
on reaching the top of the stone waU, an exclama- 
tion of dismay. 

‘'Ensign Dalzell!” he shouted, beckoning the 
summons to his brother officer. 


CHAPTER VI 

HECKLING HIS EXCELLENCY 

“T UPITER!” gasped Dan, as he reached Dave’s 
I side. 

Boom! bang! Two shots were fired al- 
most together from the “Castoga’s” forward guns. 

“The rebels are returning from the suburbs,” 
Dave exclaimed, “and even the near-by houses 
are emptying themselves of hundreds of other 
armed men.” 

“There must be a million of them, in all,” said 
Danny Grin briefly, “but I reckon we can thrash 
’em all.” 

“We’ll have to, or go under,” was Dave’s brief 
retort. “There cannot be a doubt that the armed 
multitude intends to attack the yamen.” 

6 4 The Asiatic Station 


82 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


In the meantime Signalman Ross was sending 
the message that Dave had given him. Now a 
signalman on the gunboat wig- wagged back: 

“Do not attempt to leave yamen with your 
party until you receive orders so to do.” 

“I’m glad of that command,” Dave muttered 
to his subordinate. “I wouldn’t care to risk any 
of our American women by trying to take them 
through such a rabble as I see advancing.” 

Again some of the “Castoga’s” guns spoke. The 
sheU fire was doing some execution in the ranks 
of the oncoming rebels, though not enough to 
halt their march. 

“I am going down into the compound to send 
up men and rapid-fire guns,” Dave announced to 
his chum. “Post the men, and station one rapid- 
fire gun on each of the four sides of the com- 
pound.” 

“What are you going to do with the Chinese 
soldiers?” Dan asked. 

Dave frowned. 

“I don’t know,” he said. “This is the govern- 
or’s yamen, and these are his troops. I don’t 
believe we can trust them, but, on the other 
hand, have we any right to drive the soldiers out? 
And would they go peaceably, or would they open 
fire and put the women in danger?” 

“Ask the Captain, by signal,” Dan advised. 

“Ask him yourself, signing my name, Dan. 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


83 


Whatever we do, the rapid-fire guns canT be 
placed on these walls a moment too soon/^ 

Husthng below, Dave ordered up the sailors 
and all but four of the marines. Each man, as he 
went, carried up a case of one thousand car- 
tridges, either for the rapid-fire guns or for the 
infantry rifles. 

^^You men in charge of the stores,^’ Dave or- 
dered, ^^keep the Chinese away from our prop- 
erty. DonT let any of the yellow men touch the 
stores. Shoot before you permit that, and shoot 
promptly and to kiU!^^ 

Then Darrin turned his attention to the mis- 
sionary party. Of the thirty-two men who car- 
ried rifles, he sent twenty to the ramparts, while 
he directed the other twelve to stand guard over 
the women. 

Having made these dispositions of his com- 
mand, Ensign Darrin again raced up to the top 
of the wall. 

‘There’s the answer just coming from the gun- 
boat,” Dan informed him. So Dave, shading his 
eyes with one hand, picked up this message from 
the “Castoga”: 

“Ensign Darrin: You will need to exercise 
great caution as to what you do in the yamen, 
as only the presence of imperilled missionary 
party justifies presence of your command there 
at all. Better consult with the governor.” 


84 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


“That's just what I'll do," Dave uttered grimly. 
“That governor chap has been keeping himself 
mighty well out of sight. Now it's time for me 
to see him, and he must show up and take some 
little hand in affairs that are going on in his city 
and province." 

“Shall I allow more Chinese soldiers up here 
on the wall?" asked Ensign Dalzell. “Here they 
come." 

That was, indeed, only too true. Very quietly, 
under their own officers, some hundred and sixty 
of the governor's troops had formed in four de- 
tachments, going to the walls at the four sides 
of the compound and starting up the steps. 

“I don't know whether we can stop them, and 
I don't know that they won't be willing to fight 
with us and for us," returned Darrin, perplexedly. 
“I'll follow the commander's orders and see the 
governor at once." 

Rmming down, and darting across the com- 
pound, Dave halted before the principal door of 
the main building, the door Sin Foo had used. 

Knocking lustily with the hilt of his sword, 
Dave did not wait more than thirty seconds. Then 
reports from two more of the gunboat's guns de- 
cided him. He seized the latch, trying to force 
the door, but only to find that barrier locked. 

“Open!" ordered Dave, in his loudest quarter- 
deck voice. “Open ! " 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


He waited another thirty seconds, but no one 
inside obeyed. 

^^Open,^^ he shouted, ‘^or I shall order my men 
to batter the door down!^^ 

Inside, instantly, he heard the murmur of 
voices. 

^'Well,’^ demanded the irate young officer, ^Vill 
you open, or do you wish the door battered 
down?’’ 

Preceded by a rattling of bolt chains, the great 
door was thrown open. Into the doorway breach 
stepped Sin Foo, calmly disdainful. Behind him 
stood fully a score of Chinese soldiers, each with 
rifle leveled ready to shoot. 

'^Why this unseemly disturbance before the 
official residence of the governor?^’ demanded Sin 
Foo. 

must see the governor immediately,” Dave 
replied. 

‘Tt will be impossible to see his excellency, ex- 
cept upon appointment,” replied the secretary. 
‘^His excellency's presence is sacred, and is not to 
be invaded at will by a hasty caller with sword in 
hand. If you will wait here, I will ascertain if 
his excellency will be pleased to see you in an 
hour.” 

^Tf he keeps me waiting two minutes,” Ensign 
Dave retorted, “I shall search this building for 
him.” 


86 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


“At your first step inside/' Sin Foo proclaimed, 
“these soldiers will fire upon you. That will be 
the signal for all our troops to fire on your men, 
who are no better than unlawful invaders." 

“Ensign Dalzell!" shouted Dave, over his 
shoulder. 

“Aye, aye, sir." 

“Rush six men here, with the machine gun 
from the river side of the wall!" 

“Very good, sir!" came in Dan's delighted 
voice. 

No sooner did he comprehend than Sin Foo 
uttered something .dn Chinese. Through the 
squad of soldiers darted half a dozen yellow ser- 
vants, who instantly sought to close the door. 

“Back with you!" ordered Darrin, whipping 
out his revolver and menacing the frightened ser- 
vants. 

“If the word to start killing is given it will 
really come from you, Mr. Sin Foo," Dave warned 
the secretary sternly, “and you will be one of 
the first men to drop dead." 

Dave's foot was now posted where it would 
obstruct the closing of the door, even if at- 
tem’-ted. 

“Here we are, sir," panted a sailor, darting up 
with a machine gun and its crew. 

“Train your gun to cover this corridor," Dave 
ordered, tersely. 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


87 


The gun captain posted the machine gun so 
that its nose pointed at the squad of Chinese. 

'‘Withdraw those soldiers, Mr. Sin Foo!'^ 
briefly commanded Ensign Darrin. 

“What?’' gasped the thunderstruck under sec- 
retary. “You presume to give orders in the gov- 
ernor’s very residence?” 

“I don’t intend to argue,” Dave retorted, as 
another of the “Castoga’s” guns spoke from the 
river. “If you don’t run your soldiers out of this 
corridor, then the janitor will have them to sweep 
out, for I’m going to order the machine gun into 
action mighty soon!” 

Sin Foo looked puzzled, but soon he spoke to 
the soldiers, who, scowling, wheeled and marched 
back down the stone-flagged corridor, vanishing 
around an angle of the wall. 

“The governor will not see you, sir,” Sin Foo 
insisted. 

“You’re wrong there, too,” Dave crisped out. 
“It was my wish to be courteous. But now I 
have the honor to tell you that the governor will 
come to the doorway to speak with me, and he’ll 
come very promptly, or else I shall march a force 
of men into the house and find him. It \f^l be 
much pleasanter for his excellency if he promptly 
decides to come here. Mr. Sin Foo, you have my 
permission to go and tell him just what I have 
said.” 


88 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


For perhaps thirty seconds the under secretary 
stood gazing at the ensign. On his face was a 
look of absolute horror. During the pause Dave 
eyed him sternly. 

''I mean business, Mr. Sin Fool'" 

^‘Ensign Darrin, though it be at the cost of my 
head, which I can ill afford to spare,'^ murmured 
Sin Foo brokenly, shall undertake to bear to 
his excellency’s shocked ears your most outra- 
geous message.” 

Turning to his sailors, who were grinning dis- 
creetly, Dave Darrin observed softly: 

think that will put motion into the gov- 
ernor’s feet, if anything will.” 

Looking frequently at his watch. Ensign Dave 
waited a full two minutes. 

^^Come on, men,” he ordered, ^Ve’ll start 
through the premises. This isn’t the time even 
to wait for governors.” 

Some ten yards down the corridor Darrin had 
led his handful of men when Sin Foo’s shocked 
voice rang out: 

^^Halt! Stop! Outraged as his excellency 
feels, he is coming to listen for himself to your 
impertinence.” 

^^Halt!” ordered Dave, in a low tone. Again 
the machine gun was set up. But this time no 
delay was attempted. The same score of soldiers 
marched around the angle, halted and formed on 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


89 


either side of the corridor. Next came Ah Sin 
Foo, with tablet, ink and writing brush, while a 
servant carried a small table. 

Behind them came five more ofl&cials, then one 
whom, from his elaborate Chinese costume, Dar- 
rin took to be the governor. After that person- 
age came several other men. 

Suddenly Dave Darrin started perceptibly. 
Among the governor’s followers, richly dressed, 
was none other than Mr. ^^Burnt-face,” lately of 
Manila! 

'^Now, what the mischief can ^Burnt-face’ be 
doing here?” Darrin gasped inwardly. ^'And, by 
the same token, what was he really doing in 
Manila?” 

^^Step out and get two or three of the mission- 
aries who understand Chinese,” Dave ordered in 
a low voice to the sailor nearest him. 

Striking his hands together for silence, the 
Chinese governor sank down upon a richly carved 
chair which a yamen servant placed for him. 
Then he addressed Sin Foo in Chinese. 

‘^His excellency demands to know the mean- 
ing of this extraordinary conduct,” translated the 
under secretary. 

^'Ask his excellency if he is aware that the city 
is now alive with rioters?” requested Dave. 

There was some conversation in Chinese, after 
which Sin Foo replied: 


90 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


''His excellency says that his troops are upon 
the walls of the yamen ramparts.” 

"Does his excellency believe that his troops 
are going to be able to defeat the thousands of 
rioters who are marching here rapidly?” Dave 
asked. 

After more conversation in Chinese Sin Foo 
explained : 

"His excellency says he will guarantee the 
safety of all within the yamen precincts.” 

"Even if the rebels attack resolutely?” Dave 
insisted. 

"In spite of any attack,” Sin Foo assured him. 

The missionaries who Iiad been sent for were 
entering, but ahead of them darted a sailor who 
saluted the young officer and cried : 

"Ensign Dalzell reports, sir, that the ramparts 
are being fired upon from the streets beyond. 
Ensign Dalzell believes, sir, that a general attack 
upon the yamen is about to begin.” 

"Tell Ensign Dalzell,” Dave answered, "that he 
is to open fire as soon and as heavily as he deems 
best.” 

Then, to the astounded under secretary Darrin 
added: 

"I must beg his excellency to go with me to 
the ramparts.” 

"He cannot — will not,” protested Sin Foo. 

"He must!” declared Dave Darrin firmly. 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


91 


CHAPTER VII 

BELLE HAS SOME “tIPS’’ 

W HATEVER Sin Foo said, it was spoken in 
an undertone. 

Near his excellency there was move- 
ment among the members of his retinue. In an- 
other instant the governor had vanished around 
the angle in the wall. 

'^Grab that ^Burnt-face' chap!" whispered 
Dave, to two of his sailors. “Hurry him along to 
the ramparts, but don't be rough with him un- 
less you have to be." 

Then up to Sin Foo, in the same twinking, 
stepped Ensign Darrin. 

“Sir, I am sorry, but I haven't time to waste on 
formal speech. Since your governor has run 
away, you must go with me to the ramparts." 

“But I — I am not a fighting man," protested 
Sin Foo, turning to a greenish hue, which in a 
Mongol, is equivalent to turning pale. 

“I believe you," assented Darrin. “And you 
won't be very much of any sort of man, unless 
you make up your mind to do instantly what I 
wish of you. Come!" 


92 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


Nodding to a sailor to escort the under secre- 
tary, Dave and two of his men brought up the 
rear and rushed out into the open. 

Left alone without command, the governor’s 
score of soldiers, lined up against the walls, after 
a bewildered pause shuffled off in the wake of 
their departed chief. 

Cr-r-rack! On the rampart at the west of the 
compound a squad of sailors had opened fire on a 
party of Chinese who were firing from the shelter 
of the nearest houses. Dan ran over to them, and 
stood behind his marksmen before Darrin suc- 
ceeded in reaching the top of the steps nearest to 
the firing party. 

At the outer edge of the rampart was a low 
wall of stone some two feet in thickness. On the 
flat floor behind this the sailors had thrown them- 
selves, aiming their rifles over the parapet. Be- 
hind them Danny Grin, sword in hand, took po- 
sition, pointing out some of the places of conceal- 
ment of yellow snipers. 

^They’ve opened fire, sir,” reported Dalzell, 
saluting as his chum came up. 

“So I see,” nodded Ensign Dave. “Men, don’t 
shoot too hastily. Try to plant every bullet 
where it will be most effective.” 

“Aye, aye, sir!” came the hearty chorus. 
Cr-r-r-rack! 

Half a dozen of the missionaries who had joined 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


93 


the sailors on this part of the rampart, were prov- 
ing their manhood by doing careful, deliberate 
work with their rifles. While under other cir- 
cumstances these men of the cloth would have 
preferred not to take a hand in such an affair as 
this, the danger that threatened a score of Ameri- 
can women completely changed their viewpoint. 

‘These mission men and the other American 
residents are going to make as good fighting ma- 
terial as you can get out of untrained men,^’ Dave 
remarked to Dan, in a low voice. 

Suddenly the “Castoga^’ took a lively hand in 
the affair again, her guns belching forth shells. 

“Why, theyVe landing shells in the ruins of 
the mission settlement,’^ declared Danny Grin. 
“What on earth can that be for?” 

“I can’t guess,” answered Dave training his 
glass on the mission ruins. “Look! there are 
Chinamen, with shovels, running away. Have 
they been trying to intrench there?” 

“Digging,” answered a quiet voice behind the 
young ofl&cers, and Dave, turning, beheld the 
white hair and venerable face of Bishop Whit- 
lock. “They are seeking the treasure, or were, 
until the gunboat shelled them out of our old 
compound.” 

“What treasure, sir?” Dave asked. 

“Some Chinaman, either a simpleton or a mis- 
chief-maker, started the story that we mission- 


94 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


aries had robbed a famous and very ancient tem- 
ple at Sian-ho-Kung of a hidden treasure there, 
amounting to several million dollars' worth of 
gold and jewels, and that we had hidden the 
treasure by burying it in our own compound." 

^^There was no truth in that, sir?" asked En- 
sign Darrin incredulously. 

^‘Not a bit, of course," replied the Bishop, smil- 
ing wearily. ^Dur entire treasure, in wealth, 
consisted of about seven hundred dollars in gold, 
belonging to our mission treasury. That gold is 
now hidden on the persons of men in my party." 

Right over the top of his head Ensign Darrin 
felt something click. Then, conscious that some- 
thing had happened, he turned, to see his cap, 
shot from his head, sailing down into the com- 
pound. A marine below picked it up and ran up 
the steps to hand it to his commander. 

Belle Darrin saw the hat shot away, for in the 
compound below, she had stood watching her 
husband closely. She gave a slight start, but 
showed no other sign of fear. 

A moment later a number of bullets swept over 
the rampart top. Dave, Dan and the Bishop 
were the only ones standing there. As for Sin 
Foo and ^^Bumt-face," they were grovelling on 
the rampart floor. 

^‘Sir, I beg you to go below," Ensign Darrin 
urged the Bishop. ‘Dr else lie flat. You are in 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


95 


too great danger here. I believe that the fire 
will soon be ten times more brisk, and consider- 
ably more deadly.” 

‘T am not afraid,” replied Bishop Whitlock 
calmly. my eyes were younger and keener I 
would handle a rifle, but I fear that I would 
waste too many cartridges.” 

Won't you go below, sir, that we may all feel 
easier?” Dave begged. 

^Tf I am making you uneasy, then I shall go 
down at once,” answered the missionary simply. 
‘^My friend, may you be fortunate and success- 
ful here to-day!” 

He held out a hand which Ensign Darrin 
grasped. Then the old man started below. 

^^The Chinese are starting firing from the river- 
side,” Dave announced, as a heavy volley of shots 
rang out from a new point. ^^Dan, you had bet- 
ter go over and direct our reply to the fire from 
the river side. Don't let any of the yellow ras- 
cals get close to the compound.” 

Dave turned just in time to see Sin Foo crawl- 
ing down the steps, while “Burnt-face” looked on 
with evident interest. 

“Mr. Sin Foo,” Dave rasped out sharply, “come 
back 1 If you make another attempt to leave this 
rampart you will be fired upon without challenge. 
Any of my men who see you make the attempt 
will shoot you without further orders.” 


96 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


His fright showing to a ghastly degree, Sin Foo 
slowly crawled back. He was not in the slightest 
danger so long as he did not raise his head above 
the parapet, but the under secretary plainly had 
no military blood in his veins. 

As for the Chinese soldiers on the ramparts, 
none of them displayed curiosity, nor had they 
shown any intention of attacking the Americans. 
It looked as though these yellow fighting men of 
the governor’s did not regard it as being in any 
way their fight. Several of them were smoking 
pipes that gave off villainous odors. 

Leaving a petty officer in charge, with general 
instructions, Dave went over to Dan’s side of the 
compound. 

^‘Your husband is showing magnificent cour- 
age,” remarked Bishop Whitlock to Mrs. Darrin. 

^^My husband has been trained in the greatest 
fighting school in the world,” Belle answered, 
“and I am certain that he is conducting himself 
according to the best traditions of his training 
and service.” 

A sailor came nimbly down with a message 
from Dave to the marines to open some of the 
food supplies and to start the preparation of a 
meal. In case the ladies were ready to eat, the 
marines were instructed to serve them first. 

“How long since you Navy men have eaten ?’^ 
Belle asked the sailor. 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


97 


^'Supper-time, last night, ma’am,'’ replied the 
sailor, grinning. 

"Then we women cannot think of eating until 
you men are taken care of,” Belle replied, with 
emphasis. 

"Not one of our men would eat until the ladies 
have eaten, ma’am,” replied the sailor respect- 
fully. "Ask that sea-going soldier there.” 

"When there are ladies with our parties, 
ma’am, they always have to be looked after first, 
ma’am,” said the marine, straightening up. 

"There are enough women here to serve every 
one at the same time,” replied Belle Darrin. 
"Ladies, come here and help, if you please.” 

There were only crude implements with which 
to prepare food, but a supply of wood was brought 
and preparations for a meal went rapidly forward. 

With only sixty-eight riflemen to guard all four 
sides of the yamen, and twenty of these civilians, 
Dave’s task of defense was not an easy one. 

At times spurts of rifle fire swept the ramparts, 
though so far none of the rebels had attempted 
to rush the yamen. 

"Remember, men,” Dave urged, as he passed 
along behind the firing parties, "your great task 
is to keep the heathen from rushing us. Make 
every cartridge count, but don’t expose your- 
selves unnecessarily so long as the enemy are con- 
tent to keep close to cover. Unless they succeed 

7 4 The Asiatic Station I 


98 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


in making numerous hits, I don’t believe they will 
try to rush us in daylight.” 

‘^But to-night, sir?” spoke up one of the petty 
officers. 

hope that we shall have a chance to get out 
of here before nightfall,” Ensign Darrin answered. 

^^It will be a miracle, if we do get out of here 
safely before nightfall,” muttered the same petty 
officer, as Dave passed on to another part of the 
defenses. 

After a while the firing died down. Dave or- 
dered strict watch kept, but directed that there 
be no unnecessary firing until the Chinese beyond 
opened up heavily again. 

Then, in the lull, he descended to the com- 
pound, to see to the care of the women, and after- 
wards of the men. 

Standing aside, talking with a group of women, 
was Pembroke. That young man had made no 
effort to secure a rifle; he had not even offered 
his services toward the defense. 

At the first opportunity Darrin walked aside 
with his wife. 

^'Mr. Pembroke came up from Manila with 
you?” he asked. 

^Dn the same ship, yes,” replied Belle. 

‘^And came up on the same river boat with 
you?” 

^Tes.” 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


99 


“Did Pembroke go to the mission to live?’’ 

“He was there a part of the time,” replied Belle. 
“He also lived elsewhere in Nu-ping some of the 
time. One day, I remember, I saw him on the 
street with a Chinaman who had a peculiar pur- 
ple mark on his face under the right eye.” 

“Did you know that that same Chinaman, with 
the purple mark, is here at the yamen now?” 
Dave asked. 

“Why, yes ; after we were shut up in the build- 
ing at the back of the compound, this morning, 
Mr. Pembroke went outside for a while, and 
afterwards I saw him talking with that same 
Chinaman with the purple mark on his face. Why 
are you asking all these questions, Dave?” 

“Because I am puzzled about Pembroke,” Dave 
replied. “At Manila I had an intimation that 
Pembroke is far from being a gentleman. At 
Manila, too, ^Burnt-face’ was in evidence; if he 
were in Manila now he would be arrested, charged 
with the murder of another Chinaman. I have 
been doing some hard thinking. Belle. Suppose 
Pembroke knew that trouble with rebels was 
about to break out here at Nu-ping? He did 
know that the ^Castoga’ was the gunboat in east- 
ern waters best fitted for ascending the Nung- 
kiang River and that she was going there. Pem- 
broke tried hard to make my acquaintance and 
to force himself upon me. Did he figure on being 


100 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


able to use me to advantage when the ^Castoga’ 
was ordered to duty at this port, where he may 
have known that the rebellion was about to be 
sprung? To go further, were and are Pembroke 
and ‘Burnt-face' pals and comrades, working to- 
gether for some sinister purpose?" 

Belle looked puzzled as she replied slowly: 

“Bishop Whitlock attributes the present 
trouble to the spreading of a foolish story that 
in the mission grounds were buried millions of 
dollars' worth of treasure, looted from an ancient 
Chinese temple. What connection could Pem- 
broke and his Chinese friend, away down in Ma- 
nila, possibly have with such a stupid fable as 
that?" 

“They may have believed the story," Dave 
answered, “and so may the governor of this prov- 
ince, who is skulking in yonder building. The 
governor and his followers may have secretly 
fomented this rebellion, in order to have a chance 
to loot the mission and secure, as they thought, 
the buried treasure which we know doesn't exist. 
And the governor, knowing how quick Uncle Sam 
would be to send a gunboat here, may have sent 
‘Burnt-face' to Manila to find some white rascal 
who could get acquainted on board the ‘Castoga,' 
and perhaps thwart our plans. Pembroke may 
be here, even now, for the purpose of springing 
some treachery." 


THE ASIATIC STATION 101 

‘That is an awful thought, Dave!'' cried his 
wife. 

“But it may be pretty close to the correct 
guess," Ensign Darrin rejoined. “At any rate, I 
shall have a pretty close watch kept on the move- 
ments of Mr. Pembroke!" 


CHAPTER VIII 

THE SWARM OF NIGHT FURIES 

L ate in the afternoon another meal was 
prepared. 

Though the yamen was surrounded on 
all sides, and “sniping" was engaged in from time 
to time, the Chinese besiegers made no attempt to 
rush the compound. 

Toward the end of the afternoon Dave carried 
on some vigorous signal talk with his command- 
ing oflBcer aboard the “Castoga." 

“It does not look safe for you to risk bringing 
party through to river," came the message from 
the gunboat. “Do you think you can hold the 
yamen through the night?" 

“Think I can hold yamen through the night," 
Dave signaled back, “if you sanction my using 
extreme measures at need. I may have to put the 


102 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


Chinese soldiers on the other side of the gate 
before dark comes 

^^Do so, if absolutely necessary,^’ came the part 
approval. ^^If you wish, I will try to get thirty 
more men through to you. Cannot spare more 
without crippling ship.^^ 

believe so small a force as thirty men would 
be massacred in the streets before reaching here,’' 
Dave signaled back. ‘Would advise against your 
trying to send small reinforcements.” 

“Am trying by wireless,” signaled the gunboat, 
“to pick up other naval vessel along the coast. If 
I establish such communication, will endeavor to 
have at least one hundred additional men sent 
up, even if they have to ascend river in motor 
launches. Think, if you can hold on until to- 
morrow, I can send substantial reinforcements.” 

“Will hold out through the night, if we have to 
keep shooting every minute,” Darrin signaled his 
commanding officer. 

“Have you plenty of ammunition?” came the 
query. 

“Yes,” Dick signaled back. “Have been firing 
cautiously.” 

Just before dark came on the gunboat signaled: 

“Good luck through the night.” 

“Thank you,” Ensign Dave caused to be sig- 
naled back. 

After a conference with Dan and Bishop Whit- 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


loa 


lock, Dave decided upon bold measures. Toward 
every party of Chinese soldiers, on the ramparts 
or in the compound, went, all at once, small 
parties of sailors. In a twinkling, and almost 
without protest, the sailors seized the rifles of the 
yellow soldiery. 

‘Torm the governor’s troops in the compound,” 
was the order that Darrin suddenly bawled forth. 

‘What are you about to do?” demanded Sin 
Foo, from the rampart. 

“We are about to gag you, Mr. Sin Foo, if you 
open your mouth again,” came the young ensign’s 
stern answer. 

Quickly the native troops were formed below. 
Dan, in the meantime, massed a strong force and 
two machme guns on the rampart over the main 
gate. At a signal the gates were thrown open. 
The blinking, unresponsive yellow soldiers were 
driven forth, and the gate shut fast on them. 
Dan’s precautions overhead had been taken in 
case the armed multitude beyond should attempt 
a rush when the gate was opened. But Dave put 
through the whole maneuver successfully. 

Leaving a guard of only seven men on a side^ 
and massing his fifty-six other fighting men, Dave 
marched up to the governor’s yamen. 

“The move that I am going to take may bring 
down a torrent of official abuse upon my head,” 
thought the young ensign. 


104 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


First he called out a summons to open the door 
of the governor’s dwelling. There being no an- 
swer, he directed several sailors, with a pole on 
their shoulders, as a battering ram, to smash in 
the door. Once the door was down, Dave led his 
party inside, and began searching from room to 
room. 

At last he came upon the governor, surrounded 
by the same score of soldiers. In addition were 
‘^Burnt-face” and some dozen attendants. 

“Disarm the soldiers,” came Darrin’s instant 
order, as he marched his command into the spa- 
cious, handsome, richly furnished room in which 
the governor had taken refuge. “Do it without 
fuss, if you can, but take the guns away.” 

Three of the soldiers attempted to resist, and 
were promptly knocked down by the sailors; after 
that, all submitted to disarming. 

“March these yeUow soldiers outside and give 
them the gate,” smiled Ensign Dave. “Leave 
‘Burnt-face’ and this servant with the governor, 
and put the rest of the attendants outside too. 
Forward, march ! ” 

That audacious move was carried out without 
a hitch. 

“Pass the word for Mr. Sin Foo,” Dave ordered. 
Then, when the indignant under secretary ap- 
peared, Dave went on: 

“Mr. Sin Foo, kmdly assure his excellency that 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


105 


we have acted in the only way possible, and that 
we mean no harm to him, unless he should make 
such action necessary. Tell the governor that we 
have put his people outside because we do not 
intend to have any nonsense here to-night.” 

Sin Foo started to speak. 

^Tardon me, Mr. Darrin,” interposed a mis- 
sionary, ^^but the under secretary is not inter- 
preting correctly. He is abusing you to the gov- 
ernor.” 

^Took here, my friend,” warned Dave, placing 
a heavy hand on Sin Foo’s shoulder, ^^either you 
play fairly, or you will find yourself in more 
trouble than one poor under secretary can be ex- 
pected to handle easily. Tell his excellency just 
what I said.” 

Governor Tai-pu listened in silence. Nor did 
he offer any comment when Sin Foo had ceased 
speaking. 

^^Does his excellency understand?” Dave asked. 

‘'He does,” replied Sin Foo. 

“Yes,” nodded the missionary who had inter- 
posed. 

“His excellency will be required to remain in 
the open with us to-night,” Darrin continued. 
“We must have him where we can easily keep 
both eyes on him.” 

“I beg your pardon, Mr. Darrin,” said one of 
the missionaries, approaching. “Do you think it 


106 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


will be prudent to have lights in the compound 
to-night?’^ 

^‘It wdll be much better to have them/’ Dave re- 
plied, ^'provided that no glow from them is re- 
flected toward the ramparts. Any light behind 
our men, that showed them more distinctly to 
the enemy, would imperil our safety. But hghts 
in one point at least in the grounds would be ad- 
vantageous, as such illumination would tend to 
make the women less afraid. It’s human nature, 
you know, sir, to be more afraid in the dark, and 
we must give every possible thought to the feel- 
ings of the women on such a trying night as I 
fear this is going to be.” 

Thanking him, the missionary hurried away, 
beckoning to three other men to follow him. 
These soon returned, bearing armfuls of Chinese 
paper lanterns. Cords were tied from tree to 
tree in the center of the compound, and from 
these lighted paper lanterns were soon dangling. 
In and out of the lighted area passed the women 
and other non-combatants, strolling about. 

“That looks like a glimpse out of a pretty pic-- 
ture,” said Dave, to his brother officer, as the two 
stood on the river side of the ramparts. 

“Especially with the glow that the lanterns 
cast on a background of picturesque Chinese 
buildings,” Danny Grin agreed. Then he turned 
to gaze into the darkness beyond, adding: 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


107 


^^David, little giant, we shall have very little to 
do with pretty pictures to-night. The night- 
mares of war will claim the greater part of our 
attention.^^ 

One group of women there was that did not ap- 
pear. They comprised the women of the govern- 
or’s family, who, with the children of the yamen, 
had taken refuge in one of the larger buildings. 
They were not required to come out into the 
open. 

^‘Sir, I think I see figures advancing/’ whis- 
pered a sailor, gliding up to Ensign Darrin. 

In an instant Dave threw up his night glass. 

“You’re right,” he answered, in a low tone. 
“Pass the word to the men at the machine gun 
to be ready.” 

Stepping quickly down the little line on the 
river side of the wall Dave gave whispered in- 
structions to the men to lie low and to await the 
order to fire. 

Then, motionless as a tree, Darrin stood for 
fully two minutes, with the glass at his eyes. 

“Ready!” he called, at last, in a low, but pen- 
etrating voice. “Aim I Fire I ” 

As the volley crashed out, Danny Grin raced 
around to the west rampart, to look for signs of 
a Chinese advance against that side. 

Hundreds of Mongols had stolen forward on the 
river side. Instead of checking these, the brisk 


108 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


American fire brought thousands of others swarm- 
ing from the streets and buildings. 

^^Keep that machine gun going/^ shouted Dar- 
rin in the ear of the machine gun captain. “Make 
it hot, my men! We want to get as many of the 
yellow fiends this time as possible. The more 
bloody they find this charge the more careful 
they will be through the rest of the night.” 

To add to the din Danny Grin had ordered the 
machine gun on the west side to fire, directing 
also his riflemen to fire only as sharpshooters. 

Rightly judging that the attack on two sides 
might be only a feint to draw attention away 
from the biggest movement of all on the southern 
side, Darrin darted around to that point, travel- 
ing on the rampart. 

Nor had he been there two minutes before the 
howls of thousands of infuriated yellow men 
sounded on the open ground before the wall. 

“Pump that machine gun,” Dave ordered 
sharply to the men at the gun. “Riflemen ! Fire 
at will, and shoot as straight as you know how 1 ” 

This latter order he repeated as he darted 
along the line. 

“Here, my friend, you get down! lie behind 
the parapet; donT expose yourself in that 
fashion,” Dave ordered, pushing down a sailor 
who had knelt on the parapet instead of lying 
behind it. 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


109 


'T wanted to get a better aim, sir/^ replied the 
young sailorman, upturning a face full of enthu- 
siasm. 

^^And you want to show your sand, too,’’ nodded 
Dave appreciatively. “None doubts your cour- 
age, my man, but the fighting man who exposes 
himself needlessly draws just that much more 
fire toward comrades close to him. Remember 
that, and keep down.” 

Plunk! plunk! Dave was just in time to see 
the tops of two ladders planted against the stone 
ramparts by yellow men under the walls. 

“Look out, men!” he yelled. “The Chinks are 
trying to plant ladders and scale the walls! Beat 
’em back, or we are gone!” 

A yellow face appeared at the top of one of 
the ladders. Like a flash Ensign Darrin bounded 
forward, bringing down his sword on the left 
shoulder of the yellow man. 

Then, without a moment’s further thought, 
Darrin seized the top of the ladder, giving it a 
mighty push that sent it toppling to the ground 
below. In a moment he had sent the second lad- 
der, with three men on its rungs, after the first. 

Drawing his revolver, and throwing hhnself 
across the parapet. Ensign Dave emptied ten 
shots into a mass of yellow humanity at the foot 
of the wall. Some of the sailors followed his 
example. 


110 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


But now it seemed as though nothing would 
daunt the desperate, rat-like courage of the' Mon- 
gols. 

All along the four sides of the rampart, light 
bamboo ladders were set up. Hundreds of yellow 
assailants rushed up these ladders. 

^Trepare to repel boarders!’’ lustily howled one 
sailorman, as he sprang forward, clubbing three 
Chinese in succession over the head. 

But it looked as if the American force must be 
overwhelmed, for with fiendish fury the yellow 
swarms toiled up and fought at the edge of the 
parapets. 


CHAPTER IX 

THE TRAITOR OF THE YAMEN 

H OW they ever came through the next fif- 
teen minutes was afterwards a mystery to 
Dave and Dan. 

They were in the thick of that frantic, deadly 
scramble for possession of the ramparts. As fast 
as Chinese assailants fell they were instantly re- 
placed by others. 

When Dave’s revolver was not barking, his 
sword was in action, and his arms fairly ached 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


111 


with the labor of pushing away ladder after lad- 
der. Hardly one of Dave’s men was less occu- 
pied. Many of the Chinese had dropped the rifle 
for the long spear, or else for the keen, two-edged 
sword. American blood flowed in that quarter of 
an hour. 

Boom! Out of the darkness came a trail of 
fire. Bang! A shell from the ^^Castoga” ex- 
ploded among the nearest buildings on the river 
side beyond the yamen compound. In another 
moment flames were leaping upward from a 
flimsy house in which a shell had exploded. 

Boom ! Other shells began dropping about, on 
three sides of the compound. Soon a score of na- 
tive houses were in flames, the light showing to 
the marksmen on the parapets just where to 
‘^find” their yellow assailants. 

But no shell was fired over the yamen. Plainly 
the “Castoga’s” gunners feared that they might 
drop a shell into the compound itself. 

On three sides the flames of the conflagration 
made the surroundings nearly as bright as in day- 
time. The men on the ramparts could now see 
excellently, and aim accordingly. 

At the same time the attack by ladders ceased, 
for now the laddermen were too plainly visible 
and could be killed with ease. 

^^Great work, that done by the shells!” chuckled 
Danny Grin. 


112 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


^^Yes/’ nodded Dave, ^^but I wish we could have 
the same kind of illumination to the southward. 
Withdraw enough men from the other three sides, 
Dan, to strengthen the southern rampart suffi- 
ciently.^' 

The machine guns barking out anew, and with 
increased deadliness, the thousands of fanatical 
Chinese, now finding themselves too much in the 
spodight, soon withdrew to a distance. From 
the darkness on the farther sides of the fires, how- 
ever, they still kept up a sniping fire. 

Watch from the south wall, Dan," urged En- 
sign Darrin. ^T'm going down into the compound 
to see how it fares with our wounded." 

Throughout the deadly assault by the ladder 
men no American had been killed, but several 
had been wounded. 

Many were the ‘^jackies" who, binding hand- 
kerchiefs over their wounds, stubbornly remained 
at their posts. 

In the circle of light under the paper lanterns, 
Dave found a medical missionary, assisted by 
some of the women, attending to the wounded. 

Five sailors, two marines and three missionaries 
comprised the list of the more severely wounded. 
All were cheerful, however, and none seemed in 
danger from his wounds. 

Not until Dave had gone the rounds did Belle 
step forward. 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


113 


^‘Have you a moment to tell us anything?'^ she 
asked quietly. 

''Yes/^ smiled Dave, resting an arm on her 
shoulder. ‘‘We are going to have quite a noisy 
night.'' 

''Are you going to be able to hold the yamen 
against the Chinese?" 

"That's exactly what we're here to do," an- 
swered Dave with a confident smile. 

"But are you going to be able to do it?" 

"Yes," the young ensign declared. 

"You are not saying that solely to cheer us?'^ 
persisted Belle. "You are sure that you can 
hold out?" 

"If there's any power in American fighting 
men, we can," Dave asserted. 

"But you have ten men here who are out of 
the fight. How many more such losses can you 
stand?" Belle demanded calmly. 

"If the 'Castoga' keeps on setting fires around 
us, I don't believe we shall have to stand many 
more losses," Dave assured her, and glanced past 
his wife at the other women who had gathered 
about them. 

"Then," pursued Miss Chapin, taking up the 
questioning, "you don't consider that there is 
any likelihood of our being overwhelmed?" 

"It is possible, but I firmly believe that we are 
going to be able to hold off the enemy all through 

S 4 The Asiatic Station 


114 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


the night/^ said Darrin. 'The' Chinese are at- 
tacking us in great numbers, and they are well 
^rmed and desperate. But we are all Americans 
on the walls, and there is a something in the 
morale and fighting fiber of an American that 
bears down and overawes the Chinese. They 
have hurt ten of our men. I believe that we 
have put at least a thousand of the yellow men 
out of the fight. That is all I can say now. Is 
it enough to reassure you, ladies?’’ 

'Tt is enough,” spoke up another woman, "to 
make us thankful that we have American men, 
instead of men of any other nation to defend us 
in this night of terror.” 

Bowing to the women, Dave kissed Belle, then 
passed on. She did not seek to detain him; she 
was proud of her husband, confident of his fight- 
ing qualities, and aware that he could, at pres- 
ent, devote little time to her. 

"The yellow men are creeping up again on this 
side, sir,” called down the voice of a petty ofl&cer 
from the rampart that faced the river. 

"When you think they’re close enough, let 
’em have it, and let ’em have it strong,” Darrin 
called back. "Use the machine gun, but don’t 
waste ammunition.” 

"Aye, aye, sir!” 

Soon a pattering of shots on the north rampart 
announced that the yellow men were once more 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


115 


attempting to come in close. Dave did not rush 
at once to the top of the wall, for he knew, by the 
comparative lightness of the fire of his own men, 
that the attack had not become serious. The 
officers there were capable of handling the situa- 
tion. 

From the red glow against the sky, Ensign Dar- 
rin knew that some of the Chinese dwellings were 
still burning, giving ample light to enable his men 
to serve as sharpshooters. 

^^My heartfelt thanks are due for that bom- 
bardment by the ^Castoga,^ the young ensign 
told himself. ^^With light to shoot by we must 
score at least five times as many hits as would be 
possible without it.^’ 

Crossing to the southern side of the compound, 
Dave ascended nimbly to the rampart. Dan 
came forward to meet him. 

^^Nothing but a little sniping going on at pres- 
ent,’^ reported Dalzell. ^The nearest approach to 
trouble appears to be at the north side, facing the 
river. Shall I go back there?’' 

^T believe that this side will again witness the 
heaviest fighting,” Ensign Dave rejoined. ^Tou 
had better remain here.” 

Again Dave went below. Listening for a mo- 
ment to the sounds of firing, he crossed the com- 
pound in no great haste. Past the circle of 
lighted lanterns he went. Had he not taken a 


116 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


second quick look at the main gate on the north 
side Darrin would not have noticed what was 
happening. 

Starting violently, he looked again. 

Yes, that big, double gate, moved by some un- 
seen force, was swinging open. In another in- 
stant it would admit into the compound, the 
vanguard of a mob of frantic yellow men. 

With a gasp of terror, when he thought of the 
defenceless women in the yamen Ensign Dave 
Darrin rushed forward at a run, revolver in hand. 


CHAPTER X 

THE CLIMAX OF THE ATTACK 

A S he ran in beyond the zone of light by the 
gate, Dave saw more clearly through the 
darkness. Good reason was there for that 
double barrier to swing open. 

At the wheel and windlass of the gate stood 
Pembroke, both arms tugging hard and succeed- 
ing in slowly swinging the halves of the gate in- 
ward. 

So intent was he upon his treacherous achieve- 
ment that Pembroke neither saw nor heard the 
man dashing upon him. 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


117 


Whack! A blow with the butt of Darrin’s re- 
volver laid the scoundrel flat. 

On to the gate dashed Dave, just as an exultant 
yell outside told him that the yellow multitude 
was about to rush in. 

Slam up against the gate rushed Ensign Dave, 
the force of his body sending the two halves shut. 

Outside the tumult increased, as scores of yel- 
low shoulders were hurled against the barrier. 

‘^Help! Here! Quick!” roared Darrin. 

Above the tumult his voice carried hardly any 
distance. 

The pressure of the Chinese outside must 
finally overcome his straining muscles as he strug- 
gled to keep the gate closed. 

Just then a sailor passed at a trot, with a mes- 
sage. Hearing Dave yelling for assistance, he 
looked at the gate and made out the figure of his 
officer there, trying to hold off the multitude. 

‘^All hands to the gate!” yelled the seaman, 
using his hands as a trumpet. Some of those 
within the circle of lanterns heard, and took up 
the alarm. 

Jackies rushed to Darrin’s side, hurling them- 
selves with all their strength against the gates. 
Their combined efforts seemed to be as nothing. 

Three of the missionary party had hurried to 
the spot. There were now five men against 
the scores outside. 


118 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


The mechanism of the gate had not been 
wholly opened, and that fact helped greatly. 

Sailors and marines sprang up from many quar- 
ters. By this time, if the Chinese succeeded in 
getting through they would find themselves con- 
fronted by a platoon of rifles. 

^^Hold fast!^^ yelled Dave. ^^Ross, come with 
me!’^ 

Officer and man rushed to the wheel that con- 
trolled the opening and closing of the gate. Seiz- 
ing this, and throwing into it all their combined 
muscular force, they succeeded in driving the 
double barrier close. 

^^Here are the double bars!^’ shouted one of the 
marines at the gate. ^^Some one took them down.” 

Up went the bars, which were now made fast 
in place, and once more the gate was securely 
closed. 

Placing a whistle to his lips, Dave ran along 
the wall. Even above the Babel of voices the 
shrill note of the whistle was heard. 

^‘Aye, aye, sir!” bawled down a petty officer 
overhead. 

‘Turn your marksmen loose on that rabble be- 
fore the gate. Use the machine gun, too. Make 
it as deadly for the scoundrels as you know how. 
Up to the ramparts you men at the gate, and fire 
on the mob!” 

Chinese yells of battle changed to groans of 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


119 


pain as the American firing rattled out more 
heavily than at any other time that day. 

From the river came the broad white beam of 
the ^^Castoga’s’^ search light. 

Boom ! A shell dropped in the rear of the mul- 
titude and more houses were in flames, lighting 
up the scene. 

‘^Hammer them as they run!^’ breathed En- 
sign Darrin fervently. ‘‘Keep it up as long as 
you can see any one to shoot at.^’ 

Boom! The “jOastoga^^ took a fmther hand, 
by dropping one shrapnel shell, and then a sec- 
ond, among the seething, yellow rebels revealed 
by the searchlight. 

Within two minutes the great open space had 
been cleared, save for the bodies of several hun- 
dred killed and wounded. 

“The searchlight is sending a signal, sir,” spoke 
up one of the men. 

There on the rampart, Dave read these words 
as they were signaled in the code : 

“Good work, Darrin and all hands!” 

“Give our commanding officer three times 
three, and do it with a will!” shouted Ensign 
Dave. “Our shipmates will hear it.” 

And hear it they must have, for, no sooner had 
the cheering on the rampart ended when a dis- 
tant, yet distinct sound of cheering drifted in 
from the river. 


120 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


^^How many have you on your casualty 
was signaled by the searchlight. 

“Seven of my men and three missionaries/^ 
answered the signal man, as he stood wig- 
wagging, using a Chinese lantern hastily appro- 
priated for that purpose. “None killed. All 
women safe.^^ 

Fast as he was with his wig-wagging, the signal- 
man was glad when he had finished his work, for 
such a storm of bullets sang by him that none 
could understand how he escaped with his life. 

Not until now did Darrin have time to think of 
Pembroke. 

“I must get that blackguard!’^ he muttered, 
running down into the compound. 

At first Dave could not locate the fellow. At 
last, however, he sighted him, half-hiding against 
a part of the wall where the gloom was most pro- 
nounced. 

“Well, sir?” demanded the young officer, strid- 
ing up to the man who held a handkerchief 
against his injured scalp. 

“Was it you who struck me down?” demanded 
Pembroke. 

“It was.” 

“Why did you do such a dastardly thing?” 

“Das — ” gasped Dave, astounded. “See here, 
fellow, don’t you believe that I knew what you 
were up to?” 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


121 


'T — I was trying to close the gate, which 
some of the scoundrels outside had partly suc- 
ceeded in opening/^ Pembroke asserted stoutly. 

^‘You lie!’’ retorted Ensign Darrin, staring 
sternly into the Englishman’s eyes. “You were 
opening the gate. The direction in which you 
were swinging the wheel proved that. And I 
struck you down!” 

“You are wronging me fearfully, Darrin!” 
Pembroke protested, with a strong attempt at in- 
jured dignity. 

“Then I’m going to injure you still more out- 
rageously,” Darrin retorted, “for I’m going to 
place you in arrest. Moreover, if I live to get 
to the ‘Castoga,’ you are going out there with 
me as a prisoner.” 

“Darrin, you — you must be joking,” stam- 
mered the fellow. 

“No; I am not — Rogers!” 

Dave watched for the effect of that shot. At 
mention of the name Pembroke turned more 
pallid. 

“What do you mean by using that name when 
addressing me?” he stammered. 

“Because it’s your right name,” Dave retorted. 
“You used that name before you ever used the 
name of Pembroke. Rogers, you are under 
arrest. Walk on ahead of me, straight to the 
circle of the lanterns. Don’t attempt to trifle 


122 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


with me, for my patience was never so short as it 
is now. March 

^^Surely, you are not going to humiliate me be- 
fore all the . ladies,'*^ protested the prisoner. 
Warned by the light in Ensign Dave’s eyes he 
started forward. 

'That’s exactly what I’m going to do,” snapped 
Darrin. "I’m going to expose you so fully that 
you’ll get no recognition save that of scorn.” 

"Darrin, one of these days you’re going to pay 
a big penalty in regrets and apologies,” the pris- 
oner warned him. 

"Fiddlesticks!” uttered Dave disgustedly. 

Marching the fellow up under the light of the 
lanterns, Dave found several women eyeing him 
strangely. 

"Why, is Mr. Pembroke a prisoner?” cried 
Lucy Chapin. 

"He is. Miss Chapin,” Dave assured her. 

"But surely, he can have done noth — ” 

"All he did. Miss Chapin, was to try to open 
the main gate of the compound wall and let in 
the Chinese rabble. I caught him in the act, but, 
beyond knocking him. down, I did not have time 
to attend further to him just then. On the fel- 
low’s head you will observe the cut made by the 
butt of my revolver when I struck him down.” 

"It seems so impossible to believe!” murmured 
Miss Chapin. 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


123 


^^And Mr. Pembroke, ladicc, is also the rogue 
who once went under the name of Rogers. Fur- 
ther, I am convinced that diis Pembroke, or 
Rogers, has been in league with the governor of 
Nu-ping, and with the governor’s underlings. I 
am certain, in my own mind, that this fellow is 
largely responsible for the attack on the mission, 
and for all our troubles on this day and night.” 

Dave’s plain words and his simple, straight- 
forward manner carried conviction even to those 
who were, like Miss Chapin, reluctant to believe 
ill of the one who had called himself Pembroke. 

‘^Marine, there!” called Dave, turning. The 
sea-soldier stepped over, saluting. 

‘‘You will take charge of this prisoner and be 
responsible for him. You will be prompt to shoot 
him if he tries to escape.” 

“Aye, aye, sir!” 

Dave Darrin turned to lift his cap to the ladies, 
but started, turned, gasped. 

In an instant such a din had arisen as he would 
once have believed could come only from the in- 
fernal regions. 

From all four sides at once came the angry 
yells of thousands of men, mingled with thou- 
sands of detonations. The crashing racket of 
numberless gongs made the night still more hid- 
eous. The storm of noise was ear-splitting, nerve- 
racking. 


124 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


Believing the south wall to be the place most 
in danger, Dave rushed across the compoimd in 
that direction. 


CHAPTER XI 

A SURPRISE PARTY FOR THE GOVERNOR 

I T^S Chinese war — real Chinese war!” roared 
Danny Grin in his chum’s ear, as he pointed 
down at the packed throng in the open be- 
yond the compound. ‘‘The heathen are beating 
gongs, ringing cowbells, shooting off firecrackers 
and yelling like wild-cats — just as the Chinese 
did in battle a thousand years ago. They’re try- 
ing to scare us to death with their racket.” 

“It’s awful to turn a machine gun loose on a 
tightly packed crowd like that,” shivered Dave, 
“but you’ve got to do it. Turn it loose, Dan, and 
keep it going. I leave you in charge at this 
point.” 

Dave ran around the rampart to the western 
side. As he hastened he grinned at the Chinese 
idea that noise can play any big part in winning 
a battle. Yet even Darrin admitted that the din 
was abominable enough to shake the strongest 
nerves. 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


125 


At the western wall he gave his orders, then 
rushed onward to the north wall, which included 
the main gate. 

As he ran, he noted again a low, stone building 
which he had several times passed in the com- 
pound. The roof was not high, and suggested 
that it covered merely a cellar underneath. 

Dan believed that, if the fanaticism of the ap- 
proaching multitudes were to last a few minutes 
longer, the rabble would be able, despite the 
most desperate resistance by the Americans, to 
sweep up over the walls and massacre every 
white man and woman in the yamen. 

^^Why didn^t I think of that before?^’ Darrin 
asked himself, looking down at the low-arched 
stone building. ‘That must be the governor's 
magazine. I wonder if it holds any ammuni- 
tion?" 

Descending at a run, Dave strode over to a 
place where, under a separate fringe of lighted 
lanterns, sat the governor of Nu-ping. At one 
side, eyes downcast. Sin Foo and “Burnt-face" 
sat. 

“Mr. Sin Foo," Dave began, “that is a magazine 
over there, isn’t it?" 

Not glancing up, the under secretary addressed 
the governor in humble tones. 

“Yes, it is a magazine," answered the under 
secretary, at last. 


126 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


'‘Is there any powder stored there 

Again Sin Foo addressed the governor. 

“His excellency is not certain whether there is 
powder there or not/’ replied the interpreter. 

“Hand me the key/’ commanded Dave. “I 
will look for myself.” 

At this there was more prolonged conversation 
betv^een Sin Foo and his august though at pres- 
ent dejected chief. 

“Hand me the key,” Ensign Darrin insisted 
brusquely, “or I shall take other measures.” 

Only a few words passed in Chinese this time. 
Even that had to be shouted, for the clamor be- 
yond the walls was indescribable, and the roar 
of machine guns and the rattle of navy rifles was 
all but deafening. Sin Foo, fumbling under his 
own long robes, produced a massive bronze key. 

“Good enough,” said Dave, “provided this be 
the right key.” Then, turning to one of the sail- 
ors, who had come down into the compound on 
an errand Dave asked: 

“You have an electric searchlight with you, 
haven’t you?” 

“Aye, aye, sir.” 

“Then come with me, on the jump.” 

Both hastened over to the low building that 
Dave had imagined to be the magazine. The key 
fitted, the lock yielded easily. Officer and man 
stepped inside. 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


127 


^‘Powder gasped the sailorman. ^Tooks like 
two hundred kegs of it here, sirJ’ 

‘'Hand me the light and force open one of the 
barrels, Dave directed. 

In a few moments the head of one of the bar- 
rels had been sprung. Taking a handful of pow- 
der outside, Dave placed it on a sheet of paper 
from one of his pockets, and touched a lighted 
match to one corner of the paper. When the 
traveling flame reached the powder there was a 
bright flash, accompanied by a puff of smoke. 

“That powder is excellent,^’ remarked Darrin. 

“Aye, aye, sir,^’ assented the seaman. “Are 
you thinking, sir, of using any of this stuff to 
plant among the heathen outside?’’ 

“Only in case they succeed in getting into the 
compound,” the young ensign replied, coolly. “I 
am going to ask the ladies if they prefer to group 
themselves around this building. Then, at the 
last moment, if all our forces are driven away 
from the ramparts, we can fall back on this mag- 
azine. When we see that the Chinese are bound 
to overwhelm us, a match dropped in a powder 
train here will save all of the women from Chinese 
torture. What do you think of the idea, Samp- 
son?” 

“All in the day’s work for men of the Navy, 
and the best thing, I reckon, sir, for the ladies 
under the circumstances,” answered the seaman. 


128 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


“I believe that will be the general opinion,” an- 
swered Dave. ^^Sampson, you know how to stack 
this thing so that a flash of light in a powder 
train will set off the whole magazine?” 

'‘Aye, aye, sir.” 

"May I leave you here and depend upon you 
to fix the mine so that it will go up in the air at 
my order?” 

"You may, sir.” 

"Thank you, Sampson,” replied Dave Darrin, 
gripping the sailor’s hand hard. "You’re the 
right shade of blue, and a real man of the Navy.” 

"The same to yourself, sir, thank you,” re- 
joined Sampson, taking back his electric lamp 
and going inside the magazine. 

Dave ran over to the spot where the women 
had gathered. 

"Ladies,” he announced, gazing straight at each 
in turn, "I have an unpleasant announcement to 
make. From the look of things our men are 
presently going to be driven back from the ram- 
parts. Then the yellow hordes will swarm over 
into this compound. If we are vanquished, have 
you any idea of the horrors of Chinese torture 
that will be inflicted upon you by the yellow 
fiends?” 

Some of the older missionary women shud- 
dered, turning their eyes heavenward, as though 
in agitated prayer. 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


129 


“My wife is among you” Dave went on, speak- 
ing as softly as he could and make himself heard 
above the din of combat. “What I am going to 
offer you is the best, under the circumstances, 
that I can wish for her. That is — at the instant 
when hope must be finally abandoned — instant 
death. In the magazine there is a heavy stock of 
powder. One of my men is now laying a powder 
train which, when touched off, will explode the 
magazine. In my opinion, when all hope has 
gone, the wisest thing for all of you is to be near 
enough to die in the big upheaval of the ex- 
ploding magazine. Do you agree with me that 
this will be the best step to take when there is no 
other hope of escaping from the Chinese furies 

“Under such circumstances I will trust you to 
know what is best to be done,’’ said Belle Darrin, 
resting a hand on her young husband’s arm. 

“Come, then,” begged Dave. He led the way. 
By twos and threes the other women followed, 
though some of them faltered. The few men non- 
combatants removed the wounded to places near 
the magazine. 

“Now,” commanded Dave, turning to the ma- 
rine who had just brought up the quaking Pem- 
broke, “leave your prisoner here, and you and 
Sampson go and bring the governor and his at- 
tendants here.” 

When the governor and his little suite were 

& 4 Dave Darrin on the Asiatic Station 


130 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


brought to the magazine their faces betrayed 
unspeakable terror. 

^‘May I ask what insane project is now being 
considered?^’ quaked Sin Foo. 

“Certainly,” Dave answered blithely in his ear. 
“When all other hope is gone, my fighting men 
will fall back to this spot. When we are all to- 
gether, and your countrymen are about to con- 
quer, we intend touching off the train of powder 
that shall blow us all free from Chinese ven- 
geance.” 

Sin Foo turned several shades of frightened 
green, one after the other. 

“Then you must liberate his excellency and his 
suite at once,” cried the under secretary, falling 
forward upon his knees. “You cannot, you have 
no right to risk the governor of Nu-ping in such 
a fearful tragedy. Order your men to turn us 
free at once, that we may pass out through the 
gate!” 

“Oh, no!” Ensign Dave Darrin retorted, with 
ironical cheeriness. “Your governor and his ad- 
visers are wholly responsible for the awful posi- 
tion in which we found our countrymen. For that 
reason His Excellency the August Governor of 
Nu-ping shall have the post of honor. He shall 
sit on top of the magazine, his suite with him!” 

At a sign from Dave the governor was swiftly 
seized and boosted up on to the top of the arch- 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


131 


ing stone roof. It was the first time that his ex- 
cellency had been handled with anything like 
roughness. After his excellency Sin Foo and 
‘^Burnt-face'^ were almost tossed up after him. 

“Let us down!’' screamed Sin Foo piteously. 
“This is inhuman. Kill yourselves if you will, 
but you have no right to destroy us with you.” 

“If we go up in the air on the wave of a powder 
explosion, then your crowd goes, too,” Dave 
roared back at him. “You shall have ample 
taste of the cake you have stirred for us all!” 

Though his excellency, the governor understood 
no English, he appeared to have only too clear 
an idea of what was now going on. Howling, and 
nearly collapsing with terror, he endeavored to 
slip down from the roof of the magazine, but 
ready American hands thrust him back. 

Sin Foo, too, made desperate efforts to slip 
down. As for “Burnt-face,” that yellow scoun- 
drel had fainted, and now lay prone on the roof. 

“This outrage shall not be!” screamed Sin Foo. 

“You’ll soon know all about that,” retorted 
Sampson gruffly, hurling the under secretary on 
his back on top of the magazine. 

From the south rampart now came furious 
sounds of hand-to-hand conflict. Looking up, 
Dave Darrin saw that his own fighting men 
were all but surrounded by yellow fiends who had 
gained the rampart by means of ladders. 


132 


DAVE DAERIN ON 


Pausing only a second to kiss his wife, Dave 
darted toward the nearest steps to that rampart, 
bounding up, sword in one hand, revolver in the 
other. 

In the fleeting instant of turning after kissing 
his wife farewell, Darrin had shouted to Seaman 
Sampson : 

man, I trust to your sand and judgment. 
Don^t wait for my order, but fire the magazine 
trail the instant you think it is the only course 
left.^^ 

And after Dave had floated the sailor^s cool, 
resolute : 

''Aye, aye, sir.'’ 


CHAPTER XII 

RISKING ALL ON ONE THROW 

J UST before Dave gained the parapet some of 
his sturdiest Jackies, by seizing a score of the 
yellow scoundrels and hurling them bodily 
over the wall on the heads of their countrymen be- 
low, had succeeded in clearing some elbow room 
in which to fight. 

The machine gun at this point had ceased 
sputtering, for its server had been forced back in 
the rush. 




134 


DAVE DAERIN ON 


Dave’s sword flew in straight up and down cuts 
as he hurled himself among the furies who fought 
to drive him back. Thrice he parried spear 
thrusts that otherwise would have spitted him. 

Rallying around him the strongest of his fight- 
ing men, Ensign Darrin drove the yellow men 
back for an instant. 

^Tune up the machine gun,” Dave bellowed. 
‘We must rake this multitude again if we would 
have a single chance to win.” 

By signs, since he could not make himself 
heard many yards away, Darrin passed the word 
down the line for sailors and marines to fill the 
magazines of their rifles and fire into the Chinese, 
who were making an effort to raise new ladders 
against the wall. 

But Ensign Dave glancing along his thin, ex- 
hausted line to see if many of them were hurt, 
muttered to himself: 

“The next rush ought to sweep us down into 
the compound. Then for the magazine, and — 
the Big Noise!” 

“Mr. Darrin,” bawled a missionary from below, 
“your sailor, Sampson, ordered me to come to you 
to say that the governor is nearly dead with ter- 
ror over his position. Sin Foo promises that if 
the governor be brought up here, his excellency 
will order and persuade the rabble to cease fight- 
ing and withdraw.” 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


135 


‘‘Do you believe that, at this late stage, the 
governor could influence these thousands of mad 
men?’^ Dave demanded. 

“It is more than possible,” replied the mis- 
sionary. 

“Tell Sampson, if you please, to bring his ex- 
cellency up here. If the governor makes one 
false move, back he goes to the top of the maga- 
zine, without any further chance to redeem him- 
self from going up with the rest of us in the Big 
Noise. Please tell Sampson to rush the gov- 
ernor here.” 

“And shall I come back, that I may know just 
what his excellency says to the rabble?” sug- 
gested the missionary, who, like most of the 
others of his band, spoke the language of China. 

“Be sure to come back, if you please,” Dave 
begged. 

Again swarms of ladders were rushed to the 
walls. Pigtailed heads were mixed with short- 
haired Chinese heads, for, though the republic 
desired all Chinamen to lop off the pigtails of 
the monarchial days, only a portion of the Chi- 
nese men have done so. 

At times the swarms coming up the ladders 
pressed so close that sailors and marines fought 
them with the butts of their rifles and with fists, 
even. The superior athletic physique of the 
^ An (rl Q 'vr\in bore up before the rushes of the 


130 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


Chinamen with seemingly tireless energy. Had 
the top of the rampart been broader the Chinese 
must have carried all before them, but in the 
narrowness of the top of the wall the sailors had 
the advantage. 

Once more ladders had been tipped over, the 
last of the yeUow men hurled to the ground be- 
low, and again the machine guns and the infantry 
rifles poured their shots into the thousands below. 

Now up came Sampson, carrying in his arms a 
collapsed form that was the Governor of Nu- 
ping. 

“Stand up, confound you!’^ adjured Seaman 
Sampson, planting the governor on his feet and 
seizing him by the collar. “Stand up!’^ 

The greenness of the governor’s yellow face was 
more ghastly than ever. He shivered as a few 
stray shots whistled uncomfortably close to his 
ears. 

The rays of four pocket electric lights were 
turned upon him by as many sailors equipped 
with these articles. His excellency stood in the 
spot light, a very sorry-looking object. 

Soldiers and civil officials are chosen from two 
different classes in China. Often these civil offi- 
cials, when put to the test, prove to be timorous 
indeed. 

“Tell him to secure silence and make his 
speech,” Dave requested of the missionary. 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


137 


His excellency’s arms waved like a spectre’s 
as he made gestures appealing for silence. Within 
thirty seconds the signs of his success with his 
own people began to appear. 

Gradually motion stopped in the multitude. 
Some of the more lowly among the Chinese fight- 
ers, out beyond the thick of the rabble, even fell 
upon their knees. 

The peril seemingly passed, the governor be- 
came steadier. He was a ruler speaking to obe- 
dient masses — or at least so it appeared. 

Then, in a voice husky at first, but gradually 
gaining in strength, his excellency began to speak 
to his subjects, for such they really were. As his 
speech continued his voice became louder and 
more authoritative. 

Dave glanced inquiringly at the missionary, 
who nodded back as much as to say that the 
governor was making a speech along right lines. 
Indeed, the speech must have had signal effect, 
for low murmurs ran in all directions through the 
lately fighting rabble, and by degrees the last 
efforts at fighting died out on all sides of the 
compound. 

‘‘As soon as the right moment comes,” whis- 
pered Dave, “please tell him to order all the peo- 
ple a mile away from this part of the city.” 

In an undertone the missionary repeated in 
Chinese. Then, after a few moments, the move- 


138 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


ment backward began. A visible tremor of rear- 
ward motion passed through the throngs. 

In silence the Chinese had heard the closing 
words of their governor, and now no crowd of 
thousands could have been more noiseless. 

‘^Take his excellency below again, Dave com- 
manded Sampson. ^^He is too valuable an asset 
to lose just yet. Put him on top of the powder 
magazine. Our missionary friends wiU assure 
his excellency that he is in not the least danger 
imless the attack is begun again.” 

Having seen these orders carried out. Ensign 
Darrin hurried back to the circle of lanterns. 

^^Ladies, I am glad to be able to say that I think 
our danger is nearly over,” he announced. ‘We 
have a few more wounded to bring down from the 
walls. After these men have had attention I 
think we shah be ready to take up the march to 
the river, and soon after that I believe that you 
will all be safe on board the ‘Castoga.^ Don’t 
rub your eyes or pinch yourselves to see if it all 
be true. I believe the bad dream is ended.” 

Then Dave sought out Sin Foo and “Burnt- 
face.” 

“Come with me to the governor,” he directed, 
for, while the speech from the rampart was being 
made, these two underlings had somehow man- 
aged to slip away from their perilous place on 
top of the magazine. 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


139 


“You are not going to offer us violence, are 
you?” asked Sin Foo fearfully. 

“Not unless you do something to merit it,” was 
Barrings response. “I have other uses in view 
for you.” 

Securing the services of the same missionary, 
Dave directed him to ask the governor if he would 
trust Sin Foo and “Burnt-face” to go out 
into the city and carry to the people his excel- 
lency's will that no attack be made upon the 
Americans when they started for the river front. 

The governor replied that his two secretaries 
were the very ones to carry his orders to his 
people. 

“So that fellow is a secretary to the governor, 
also?” asked Darrin, pointing to “Burnt-face.” 

“He is the governor’s secretary,” replied the 
missionary. “Sin Foo is the under secretary, who, 
that he might deal with Englishmen and Ameri- 
cans, was educated in England.” 

“Warn the governor that if his secretaries play 
him false, and we are attacked, then his excel- 
lency will surely lose his life,” Dave requested. 

“His excellency is satisfied that his secretaries 
will serve him faithfully, and keep his life se- 
cure,” the missionary declared. 

The governor himself spoke to “Burnt-face” 
^■n d Sin Foo, after which both bowed low. 

“Now, you two may turn yourselves put into 


140 


DAVE DAERIN ON 


the street,” Dave announced. ^We will let you 
pass through the gates. See to it that you cir- 
culate well, and that you impress upon the peo- 
ple their governor’s wishes. Otherwise, his ex- 
cellency will sail sky-high on a keg of powder — 
you may be sure of that!” 

To Ensign Dave’s intense amazement, both 
“Burnt-face” and Sin Eoo bowed very low before 
him. Next, they threw themselves upon their 
knees before the governor, who addressed them 
briefly, but earnestly. 

When the secretaries rose Dave called a petty 
officer, to take them to the gate and to vouch 
for their right to pass out. 

In the meantime the wounded were being at- 
tended. Nearly all of the unhurt defenders still 
remained upon the ramparts, though the great 
open spaces below were devoid of any signs of a 
hostile populace. 

“I wonder if his excellency would like to change 
his shoes before starting,” Dave suggested to 
Bishop Whitlock, as he glanced down at the gov- 
ernor’s dainty embroidered silken footgear. 

“Are you going to take the governor with us?” 
asked the Bishop. 

“He must go with us to the river front, and 
must remain there until all of our party is safe,” 
Darrin answered. 

“But you really mustn’t make him walk,” ob- 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


141 


jected the Bishop. “If you did, it would be such ' 
an affront as the people of Nu-ping would never 
forgive in foreigners. There are several sedan 
chairs in the yamen, and there are still enough 
attendants left to bear it. Permit me, Mr. Dar- 
rin, to see to the matter of the governor’s sedan.” 

“I shall be deeply grateful, sir, if you will,” was 
Dave’s answer. 

In less than five minutes the chair was ready, 
resting on the shoulders of eight husky coolies. 

Ten minutes later the gates were thrown open. 
The defenders, hastily recalled from the ram- 
parts, had formed. 

First in the line were the marines, with a ma- 
chine gun. Then followed a detachment of sailors. 
Danny Grin took command of the advance guard. 
Behind this were the wounded, some of whom 
hobbled slowly and painfully, as there was no 
conveyance except for those who had been badly 
hurt. 

After the wounded came the women, in a body, 
and, behind them, the governor in his sedan chair. 

There followed the missionaries, armed and un- 
armed, and the other male American residents of 
Nu-ping. Finally marched the rest of the sea- 
men with Pembroke as their prisoner, and Dave 
commanded at this point. 

Outside all was now as still as though in a city 
of the dead. 


142 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


Was it safe to risk the march, or were they 
soon to run into some villainous trap prepared by 
the ingenuity of the Chinese? 

^Torward, march Ensign Darrin sent the 
order down the line. 


CHAPTER XIII 

ALL ABOUT A CERTAIN BAD MAN 

L ike a long-drawn-out snail the procession 
crept through the yamen gates. The pace 
was set by the men most severely wounded. 
Was it safe to leave the yamen while multi- 
tudes were yet abroad in the city, and those mul- 
titudes angry over the shedding of Chinese blood? 

How many Chinese had fallen in the fight Dar- 
rin had no means of estimating. He had seen 
many faU, but dead and wounded alike had been 
promptly carried away by their own countrymen. 

That the city of Nu-ping was in a ferment of 
anger there could be no doubt. Yet the governor, 
who had professed that morning to be unable to 
stem the revolution, had, by a few words, sent 
the fighting throngs back in the dead of night. 

Last of all in the line walked Dave, in as un- 
comfortable a frame of mind as he had ever 


1:HE ASIATIC STATION 


143 


known. If his little party should be attacked and 
overwhelmed, and the women killed, he had made 
up his mind that he would make no effort to out- 
live the disaster. Death would be preferable. 

There was still one other who knew less of com- 
fort than any in the procession. That one was 
His Excellency, the Governor of Nu-ping. 

In the sedan chair had been placed six kegs of 
powder, one of them opened. On top of the 
kegs, without as much as a cushion to soften the 
hardness of the seat, was his excellency, squat- 
ting, terror-stricken. 

On either side marched a sailor with a loaded 
rifle. Also beside the sedan marched Sailorman 
Sampson, with a package of loose powder and a 
piece of slow-match found at the yamen. Sea- 
man Sampson had his orders, with a considerable 
amount of discretionary power added, all of which 
was known to the governor with the greenish- 
yellow face. 

As the line swung into the street on the way to 
the river, Danny Grin and two seamen trod 
softly ahead, alert for any surprises that might 
be met, particularly at street corners. 

Not a sound was heard from natives, however, 
save for the occasional groans of the greenish- 
yellow governor, who, at that moment, was more 
fully posted on the feeling of absolute terror 
than was any other man in China. 


144 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


No move was made on the part of the natives 
to stop the progress of the Americans. The party 
soon reached the wharf at the river front. 

Now, with the women out on the wharf, Dal- 
zell hastily drew up new lines of defense, point- 
ing cityward, while Dave, with flashlight and 
whistle, managed to attract attention from the 
deck of the ^^Castoga’^ and to flash the signal to 
the watch officer. 

It seemed but the work of a minute to get the 
launch and two ship’s boats under way. The 
launch chugged busily shoreward. No time was 
wasted on explanations. The women and 
wounded were hurried into the boats and taken 
out to the gunboat. 

On the next trip the rest of the party was 
speedily embarked. 

As the last act, Sampson relaxed his watch over 
his excellency. Signs were made to the governor’s 
chair bearers to take their lord back to the ya- 
men. Nor did the departure of the governor take 
any time at all. 

“Well done, Darrin! Fine, Dalzell!” boomed 
the hearty voice of Lieutenant-Commander Tut- 
hill as the two young officers stepped on the deck 
of the gunboat. “Every man under your com- 
mand has behaved like an American!” 

Then, as his eye roved to Pembroke, standing 
under marine guard, he asked: 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


145 


‘^How came Mr. Pembroke to be in trouble?’’ 

'^Attempted treachery/’ Darrin responded. ^T 
caught him trying to open the yamen gate to the 
Chinese rebels.” 

Tuthill’s brow darkened. 

‘Tembroke, I did not think that of you, sir. 
You have a heavy burden of guilt! You will be 
taken down to the brig and locked up until I can 
decide what is to be done in your case, sir.” 

After Pembroke had been marched below, to 
go behind bars, the commander of the gunboat 
continued, in a low tone to Darrin : 

am afraid not much of anything can be done 
with him. He is a British subject, I suppose, and 
guilty of an offense committed on Chinese soil. 
The most that I can do will be to keep him locked 
up imtil to-morrow, and then turn him loose. Per- 
haps the Chinese will take care of him. The 
ladies are waiting in the wardroom to thank Dal- 
zeU and yourself. You had both better go inside.” 

^T’d rather face the Chinese again,” laughed 
Dan, ^Than have to stand and be thanked by a lot 
of women.” 

An hour later the ladies were established for 
the night, several of the officers’ quarters having 
been given over to them. The American mission- 
aries and civilians, like the sailors, were obliged 
to sleep in hammocks. 

Just as Dave was seeking a mattress on the 

10 4 Dave Darrin on the Asiatic Station 


146 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


floor of the wardroom Surgeon Oliver hurried in. 
•^^Darrin/’ began^the medical man, ‘‘did you 
know that Pembroke was badly hurt?’^ 

“By the blow I gave him on the head?’^ queried 
the young ensign, wheeling. 

“No, though that was quite bad enough. A 
stray buUet hit the fellow in the side, and he 
bound it up as best he could. He tells me that 
the shot hit him before you struck him down — 
perhaps an hour earlier.’^ 

“If I had known that,” murmured Darrin, “he 
would have had somewhat softer handling.” 

“Pembroke is really in a bad way,” continued 
the surgeon. “I have had him removed from the 
brig to the sick-bay, and have put a hospital at- 
tendant on watch over him to-night.” 

“Is he going to die?” asked Ensign Darrin. 

“Can^t say; I think not. But what brought 
me here is the fact that Pembroke asked if he 
might see you.” 

“Now?” 

“Yes.” 

“Certainly.” 

Dave was tired out. Danny Grin was already 
sound asleep on a mattress on the floor. Darrin 
had been yawning heavily, but now the call of 
humanity appealed to him. 

“I’ll go with you, Doctor,” Dave added, and 
followed the surgeon. 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


147 


In a bunk down in the sick bay Pembroke 
tossed uneasily, his face a bright red. 

^‘Here is Mr. Darrin, Pembroke,’’ announced 
the medical officer. 

^‘You’ll think I had a jolly large amount of 
nerve to send for you,” murmured the stricken 
man, holding out a hand. Under the circum- 
stances Darrin did not hesitate to take the hand. 

^^Sit down, won’t you?” begged Pembroke, and 
Dave occupied a stool alongside. 

felt that I ought to see you,” Pembroke went 
on. “Sawbones tells me I have plenty of chance 
to pull through, but I’m not so sure about that. 
If my carcass is to be heaved over in canvas, with 
a solid shot for weight, I want to go as clean as 
I can. So I want to tell you a few things about 
myself, Mr. Darrin. You don’t mind, do you?” 

“I shall be glad to hear whatever you have to 
say to me,” Dave replied. 

“You look jolly well tired out,” observed the 
stricken man, “so I won’t detain you long. To- 
night you accused me of being a scoundrel, and 
you had the goods on me. There can be no doubt 
about my being crooked, and I may as well ad- 
mit it.” 

“Then you are really Rogers, instead of Pem- 
broke?” Dave asked. 

“I’ve used both names, but neither belongs to 
me. I have had so many names in my day that 


148 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


I barely remember my right one, which I^m not’ 
going to teU you, anyway. I came of decent peo- 
ple, and some of them are left. I^m not going to 
disgrace them. Darrin, I expect that I'm going 
to die, and I’m going to try to do it like a man — 
the first manly thing I’ve done in years. If I 
wanted to live at all now, it would be that I 
might stand and take my punishment for my con- 
nection with this Nu-ping affair.” 

^^I don’t believe that you could be punished for 
that by Americans,” Dave went on. ^^You are a 
British subject, and your offense was committed 
on Chinese soil.” 

^^I’m about as English as you are,” returned 
Pembroke. ^^If I were a Britisher, and any good 
I’d been serving my country, right now, in France. 
I was bom on the Atlantic seaboard of the United 
States. Out of decency I’m not going to name 
my birth state. At times, when it suited better, 
I’ve been an Englishman as a matter of conven- 
ience. But what I want to tell you about, espe- 
cially, Darrin, is my connection with this Nu-ping 
business.” 

^^Did that connection begin back in Manila?” 
Darrin asked. 

^In Nu-ping first, but there was a Manila end. 
It won’t take long to tell the story. I — ” 

In an instant a deadly pallor appeared in the 
stricken man’s face. Then he lay silent. 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


149 


^^Doctor, I think Pembroke has gone/^ said 
Dave quietly, as he stepped over to the surgeon 
who was bent over another cot. 


CHAPTER XIV 

DAVE HEARS SOME EYE-OPENERS 

LL look at the chap in a moment/^ replied 
I Dr. Oliver. 

But Pembroke had fainted, not died. Re- 
storatives were applied, and presently he was 
ready to go on. 

‘^Shall I listen to him now, or wait until to- 
morrow?’^ Dave asked the surgeon. 

^^The man will feel better if he talks himself 
out now,” advised the surgeon. 

So Dave sat down again, while Pembroke ram- 
bled on : 

^^You see, Darrin, this isn’t the first time I 
have served Chinese officials among white men. 
I was in Nu-ping when that yarn got abroad that 
the missionaries had secretly looted that old tem- 
ple and had removed millions in loot, burying the 
treasure secretly in the compound grounds of the 
mission at Nu-ping. You have no idea how such 
stories take hold in China. Doubtless, as a re- 


r 


150 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


suit of former rebellions and wars in China, the 
country is full of spots where fortunes have been 
buried for safety, with the people who buried the 
treasure killed off and the secret lost. I believed 
fully that the missionaries had buried such a 
treasure here at Nu-ping. The governor was 
sure of it, and so were his secretaries and the few 
other officials who had heard the story.’’ 

^Then why didn’t the governor proceed offi- 
cially and legally to have the mission grounds 
dug up and searched?” Dave asked. 

‘^Don’t you understand?” cried Pembroke. ‘Tf 
the governor had done that and found the treas- 
ure, he would have had to turn it over to the 
central government. In that there would be 
mighty little graft for his excellency. Now, un- 
less he did it in an open and official manner, the 
missionaries could resist and report his excellency 
to the central government. Being a governor in 
China in these days isn’t quite so fine a job as it 
was in the old days under the emperors. In those 
days the governor was called a viceroy — a ruler 
who served in the place of the monarch, and a 
mighty big chap a viceroy was. But these gov- 
ernors of the new breed are not such powerful 
chaps, though they still have many chances to 
steal without detection. 

“But our yellow governor here at Nu-ping 
looked the situation over on all sides. He decided 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


151 


that it would be best to have a rebellion take 
place here on a small scale, have the missionaries 
killed or chased away, and then have his own men 
dig up the mission grounds and find the treasure. 
In the first place, our Nu-ping chap has about 
twelve thousand troops under his command. They 
could stop any rebellion that started around here. 
It was necessary to get the troops out of the way, 
so his excellency got ready to send them out of 
the way. He kept in town only the few troops 
you saw to-day. With so few soldiers he couldn’t 
be expected to stop a rebellion, could he? 

‘The more his excellency thought over the 
matter of the hidden millions in the mission 
grounds, the more he itched for them. Sin Foo 
sent for me, and I talked it over with them. The 
rebellion, once started, might last quite a while. 
We looked over the American fleet in Asiatic 
waters and decided that the ‘Castoga’ was the 
only naval craft of light enough draft to come up 
the Nung-kiang River to this point. His excel- 
lency wanted to take time for a leisurely rebel- 
lion, but knew that this gunboat would be sent 
up here at the first murmurs of trouble. So he 
sent me to Manila to look over this craft, and, if 
possible, to cripple or sink her.” 

“Sink this gunboat?” asked Dave, in amaze- 
ment. 

“Yes,” Pembroke nodded. “It struck his excel- 


152 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


lency as being worth while, in case his rebellion 
here should last long enough/^ 

‘^But how could you sink the ^Castoga’?^’ 

‘^Not such a difficult thing, if I got myself 
liked by the officers aboard,” Pembroke replied. 
^^Some afternoon I could put off and come aboard, 
carrying a suitcase. I could have asked you, or 
any other officer, to let me leave my case in his 
cabin over night, couldn’t I?” 

'Tes,” Dave said. ''But how sink the boat?’^ 

"If the suitcase contained the right contents, 
and if those contents went off in the dead of 
night, it would be easy, wouldn’t it?” asked Pem- 
broke, flushing. 

"And — you — you — would have done such a 
thing as that?” gasped Ensign Dave. 

"I would have done it — at that time,” Pem- 
broke confessed. "Darrin, drifting through the 
Orient as I have done for some years, and al- 
ways needing money — as I did — a fellow gets 
so he will do many things that he would hardly 
do in the good old home town.” 

Dave shuddered. 

"His excellency’s secretary — ” Pembroke went 
on, but Darrin interrupted to ask: 

"The 'Burnt-face’ chap?” 

"Yes. He went to Manila with me to see that 
I stuck to my job, and that I didn’t misapply too 
much of the expense money that I carried.” 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


153 


‘T want to ask you something, Pembroke,” 
Dave broke in quietly. “Do you know anything 
about the Chinaman who was slain almost along- 
side this craft one night in Manila?” 

“A good deal,” the stricken man admitted. “He 
was a Christian convert, and the fellow overheard 
the secretary and myself talking of our plans. 
In trying to get away the eavesdropper made noise 
enough so that we pursued him. He escaped us, 
but we felt that he had to be found. Now, that 
Chinese convert, like most poor and simple peo- 
ple of his race, did not think of going to the po- 
lice. He was bound to reason toward more di- 
rect procedure. My accomplice felt that the con- 
vert would try to warn the commander of the 
threatened gunboat. That was what he did. He 
put off alone, at night, to paddle out to the ^Cas- 
toga.’ My accomplice and another Chinese pur- 
sued, and — weU, you know what was done with 
the sword.” 

Dave looked up from a deep revery as Pem- 
broke finished. As he did so he noticed that the 
surgeon and a hospital man had been listening in 
the shadow beyond. Witnesses to such a rehearsal 
were necessary, so Darrin did not object. 

‘^ut tell me one thing,” Dave asked, presently. 
“In Manila I saw ^Burnt-face^ look after Miss 
Chapin with a look amounting to hatred. Why 
should that have been?” 


154 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


“Because, in the first place, the fellow hates all 
Christians, and missionaries in especial. Miss 
Chapin is a missionary; more, she is engaged to 
wed the Rev. Mr. Barstow, of the party that you 
rescued. Now, he and the Rev. Mr. Barstow have 
been at odds for some time, and the Chinaman 
hates the missionary most sincerely. Probably 
the secretary knew that Miss Chapin is engaged 
to Mr. Barstow.^’ 

“Why did you come up with the party with 
which Miss Chapin and my wife traveled?’^ asked 
Dave. 

“Because it was the quickest way to get to Nu- 
ping,” Pembroke admitted. “And my own reason 
for coming back here was to get my own share of 
the loot which, until to-day, I really believed 
existed in the mission grounds. Now, I think you 
know all. I — I — ” 

“You are very tired; I can see that,^^ said En- 
sign Darrin quietly. “I am greatly obliged to 
you for what you have told me, for it has cleared 
up many points that had puzzled me.’' 

“You think me a villain — an utter scoundrel, 
don’t you?” asked Pembroke. 

“Yes,” Dave assented, speaking as quietly as 
before. “Any man who can plot to take innocent 
lives at wholesale is certainly a wicked scoundrel. 
But, if you should recover, I hope that you will 
lead a new life, and will be manly hereafter.” 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


155 


‘T — I wonder if a man can do that, after he 
has led the kind of life that I have led?^’ smiled 
Pembroke, weakly. 

‘T think so. I believe that you can. But that 
is not as much in my line as some other questions. 
The man you should talk with is one of the mis- 
sionary party. Shall I waken one of them and 
ask him to come to you?’^ 

“Not to-night,^^ Pembroke answered, tossing. 
“I am too weary. If I am alive in the morning, 
perhaps.’’ 

“Good night,” said Dave, bendmg over the 
berth and holding out his hand. 

“Can you shake hands with a fellow such as 
you now know me to be?” demanded Pembroke, 
in utter amazement. 

“Not with the fellow you have been, but with 
the man I hope you’re going to be,” Dave an- 
swered. “Good night, Pembroke.” 

“Good night, Darrin.” 


156 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


CHAPTER XV 

WHEN THE FLAGSHIP WAS SIGHTED 

I N the morning, when Darrin and his chum 
came on deck, the sun was shining brightly 
over Nu-ping. 

Perhaps a hundred of the smaller houses of the 
place had been burned by the fires started by the 
gunboaPs shells the night before, but in a whole 
city full of small Chinese houses the loss was not 
especially noticeable. 

^^You wouldn’t want to land over yonder to- 
day, Darrin,” smiled Lieutenant Warden, when 
Ensign Dave saluted him on deck. 

^Why not, sir?” 

'^Soon after daylight the governor’s troops 
marched into the city. As nearly as we could 
estimate the strength of the force from this deck, 
there are about twelve thousand of the troops, 
and with them are three batteries of field artil- 
lery.” 

“Are the batteries strong enough to be used 
against this craft?” 

“The batteries might be able to give us a good 
bit of trouble to handle, but there is no danger of 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


157 


their being employed. It would cost the governor 
his head to turn his troops against us, for that 
would be an official act of his, and a violation of 
China’s peace with us. Of course the pretended 
riot and rebellion of the populace was carried out 
by the governor’s secret orders, but we could 
never prove that. His excellency will be ques- 
tioned by the Chinese government, but he can 
claim that the rebellion started when his troops 
were in another part of the province. The gov- 
ernor will promise Pekin to punish the ringleaders 
of the rebellion. He wiU then proceed to ^try’ 
and behead a few of his political enemies, and 
Pekin will be satisfied. That will close the in- 
cident.” 

A messenger came briskly up, with word call- 
ing the executive officer into the presence of his 
commander. 

Pembroke’s confession, which Dave and the 
witnesses had promptly reported to the Lieuten- 
ant-Commander the night before, was the talk of 
the officers this morning. 

The wounded man was said to be in somewhat 
better condition. All of the wounded sailors, ma- 
rines and civilians were reported as being in no 
danger of dying from the injuries received in the 
spirited fighting of the day before. 

Dave’s eyes caught sight of Belle the instant 
she stepped on deck. He hurried to her, looking 


158 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


her over closely to see how she had stood the ex- 
citement and terrors of the day before. 

^^Do you think I shall ever be able to qualify as 
a naval man’s wife?” Belle asked, laughing. 

^Tou won’t have to qualify,” Dave assured her. 
“You’ve already passed all the necessary tests.” 

“There were times yesterday when I was dread- 
fully afraid,” shuddered Belle. 

“Then you have mastered the necessary secret 
of how to conceal your fears,” Darrin assured her. 
“There was many a time yesterday when I, too, 
was badly scared.” 

“You?” cried Belle, gazing at her husband, in 
astonishment. 

“Yes,” smiled Dave. “Did I betray myself?” 

“You are jesting,” Belle declared. “I saw you 
often, in the worst of the fighting and your cour- 
age and endurance were magnificent. Not once 
did you show any sign of faltering.” 

“None the less, I had my moments of scare,” 
Darrin assured her. 

“You surely are jesting,” asserted Belle. 

“Not a bit of it, my dear. Every man who has 
to fight and who is honest about it will admit that 
he is often badly scared.” 

“Am I interrupting a private conversation, Mr. 
Darrin?” asked the executive officer. 

“Not in the least, sir,” replied the young en- 
sign, raising his cap. 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


159 


‘^Then what I have to tell you is that our wire- 
less picked up the admirars flagship a little while 
ago, and we have reported what took place here 
yesterday. We are under orders to sail as 
promptly as possible, and the flagship will meet 
us at the mouth of the river. The flagship will 
also try to pick up some coasting steamer, which 
will carry the missionary party and others down 
the coast to Shanghai, which is considered a safer 
place at present for Americans.’^ 

^^Did the Admiral approve of what was done 
here yesterday, sir?^’ 

^^He expressed neither approval nor criticism, 
but will take our detailed report when we join. 
The ladies will be summoned to breakfast soon, 
Mr. Darrin. Most of the officers will breakfast 
at second table to-day, but on account of Mrs. 
Darrin’s presence on board you will go to flrst 
table with her. You will take my place at the 
head of the table.” 

“And, of course, as soon as the civilians are 
transferred to that coasting steamer I shall have 
to go with them,” pouted Belle. “It may be 
months before I shall see you again. I had hoped 
to be with you at least a few weeks in Manila. 
Instead, I had to come here. I have had a day 
with you — and what a day ! ” 

“It’s hard, dear,” sighed Dave, “but such is a 
naval officer’s life. However, our turn will come. 


160 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


One of these days I shall be ordered to shore duty 
for a while, and then we shall be together, month 
after month. We shall even be able to have a 
little home of our own. It may be, dear, that my 
shore duty will be at Washington.’^ 

^Wes,” groaned Mrs. Darrin. ^^And if you send 
for me to come and join you in Washington, by 
the time I arrive there I shall find out that you 
have just been sent away on a three-year rescue 
cruise to find some lost explorer at the South 
Pole ! That is the Navy ! ” 

When the breakfast call came Dave led his wife 
into the wardroom, conducting her to her seat at 
table and seating himself beside her. 

Before the meal was ten minutes under way 
the deck watch began to make active prepara- 
tions for the start down the river. As the anchor 
was being hoisted a large boat put out from the 
shore flying the governor’s banner. 

As it came alongside a great bale was hoisted 
on board, addressed, simply, ‘To the American 
Ladies.” 

An envelope bearing a similar address was 
brought aboard by an officer from the governor’s 
yamen, as well as a second envelope addressed to 
Lieutenant-Commander Tuthill. 

The second letter was delivered at once. It 
contained an expression of the governor’s “pro- 
found regret” over the occurrences of the day be- 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


161 


fore, and stated that, the governor’s troops hav- 
ing fortunately returned, his excellency was now 
able to guarantee the safety of all Americans who 
might condescend to honor the city by their pres- 
ence ashore. 

The governor’s letter ended with the state- 
ment that he had endeavored to express his apolo- 
gies to the American ladies in a more tangible if 
very humble and poor form. 

The American commander immediately dic- 
tated a letter thanking his excellency for his let- 
ter and assurances, but adding that, under orders, 
the American party was being taken to the mouth 
of the Nung-kiang River. 

'^Get this letter over the side and signal the 
engine-room for half-speed ahead,” Lieutenant- 
Commander Tuthill brusquely directed. 

So, before breakfast was ended, the ^^Castoga” 
was steaming down the muddy river. 

Not until the officers and male guests had been 
served at second table was any mention of the 
bale made by the busy executive officer. Then 
the ladies were once more summoned to the 
wardroom, while two sailors undid the package 
that had come from the governor. 

The contents would have made a gift fit, in- 
deed, for a royal family. There were more than 
enough handsome furs to go all around. There 
were silks, such as are never seen in America. 

H ^ Dave Darrin on the Asiaiic Station 


162 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


Gold hair ornaments and rare jade jewelry were 
there in abundance, and many other articles dear 
to the feminine heart. 

this is a true expression of the governor's 
regret, then I wonder that he could ever have 
permitted the rioting to start,” said one of the 
women. 

^^But, under the circumstances, have we any 
right to accept such valuable gifts?” asked BeUe 
Darrin. 

‘^ShaU I have them thrown overboard, then?” 
queried Mr. Warden, smilingly. 

*^No; of course not,” replied another woman, 
‘^but I feel that these magnificent gifts should be 
returned.” 

‘^How?” asked the executive officer. ‘This 
gunboat may never enter the Nung-kiang River 
again.” 

“It begins to look,” laughed Dave, “as though 
the necessities of the case compel the acceptance 
of these visible expressions of the governor’s in- 
visible regrets. There is no way to send the stuff 
back.” 

It took an hour’s discussion to convince the 
women that they must perforce accept. That 
point settled, they proceeded to divide the gifts 
by lot. 

“Where am I going to put all this plunder?” 
Belle asked her husband as she gathered up her 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


163 


own considerable share of the ^^expressions of re- 
gret/^ “I haven't a single piece of baggage." 

'T fear I shall have to place them in my chest, 
and turn them over to you when we next meet," 
Dave suggested. 

‘"And I may very likely be an old woman by 
that time," sighed Belle. 

At noon Dave took the bridge until four 
o'clock. It was just before his watch was fin- 
ished that the mouth of the river was made. 
Two miles off shore the flagship could be seen, 
steaming back and forth. A quarter of a mile 
away a small ocean-going steamer followed a 
similar course. 

‘^And I won't have a chance to cry on my hus- 
band's shoulder for a few moments," Belle com- 
plained, tragically, to another woman. ‘‘He's 
stuck away up forward on the bridge." 

“Your husband will be off duty in ten min- 
utes," Lieutenant Warden assured her. “He will 
have command of the launch that transfers the 
party to the coastmg vessel." 

“In the Navy the smallest favors look like 
great ones," Belle observed to herself. 

Watch changed just before the gunboat ran up 
behind the stern of the flagship. 

Reheved of his duty on the bridge, Dave re- 
ceived his further orders and immediately called 
the launch crew to quarters. 


164 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


Launched and brought alongside, the motor 
boat was quickly filled with the refugees. 

Dave gave the order to cast off, then sat down 
beside Belle. Their time was altogether too 
short. The halted coasting steamer received the 
refugees on board, Dave, too, going up over the 
side. 

In the instant that he and Belle clung to- 
gether she whispered : 

‘^Shall I go to Yokohama and await the chance 
to join you?'’ 

‘That will be a fine idea, little girl!" cried 
Dave. Then with a final kiss he went down over 
the side and into the launch. 

“Cast off. Make back to the gunboat." 

The coastwise steamer was already sounding 
her hoarse whistle, and moving under slow way. 

Once in the launch. Ensign Darrin stood up 
and waved his cap at the lonely little figure stand- 
ing by the stern rail on the after-deck of the 
steamship. 

Until the launch rounded up under the “Cas- 
toga's" quarter Dave waved his cap frequently. 
Through the mist that lay over his eyes he could 
barely see the answering fluttering of white on 
the deck of the southbound steamship. 

“Let the crew remain in the launch," came 
from the officer of the deck. “Ensign Darrin will 
report to the executive officer." 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


165 


“Lieutenant-Commander Tuthill and Ensigns 
Darrin and Dalzell are ordered aboard the flag- 
ship/’ announced the executive officer. “Mr. 
Darrin, you will make the necessary change in 
uniform.” 

Hastening to his quarters, Dave changed to full 
dress uniform for which the regulations now 
called. He girded on his dress belt, with his dress 
sword, and drew on white gloves. Then he gained 
the deck, saluting and reporting to the com- 
mander of the gunboat. 

“We shall be called upon to make our report, 
Mr. Darrin, of the Nu-ping affair. It is a good 
thing that we can do so With clear consciences,” 
smiled the Lieutenant-Commander. 

“The Admiral may not approve of all that I 
did to His Excellency, the Governor,” remarked 
Ensign Dave. 

“I think he will,” replied the commanding offi- 
cer. “In my opinion, at least, you made the best 
possible use of your discretion.” 

“Thank you, sir.” 

Soon the three officers from the gunboat 
found themselves on the quarter-deck of the bat- 
tleship “Katahdin,” flagship of the Asiatic Fleet. 

Captain Tucker received them and then re- 
marked : 

“I have orders to conduct you at once to Ad- 
miral Branch.” 


166 


DAYE DARRIN ON 


The Admiral gave the three visiting officers 
pleasant if formal greeting. 

^This is my report, sir, in writing, of the affair 
at Nu-ping,’^ declared Lieutenant-Commandei^ 
Tuthill, passing over a bulky official envelope. 

‘'Quite so,” observed Admiral Branch. ‘T will 
read it at once.” 

For more than five minutes the three officers 
remained seated, and in silence, while the Ad- 
miral slowly turned the pages of the report. 

From time to time the fleet commander 
frowned. Dave, noting this, wondered to what 
features of his conduct in Nu-ping Admiral 
Branch most objected. 

“Dave is surely going to catch it,” reflected 
Dan Dalzell uneasily. “I wonder if I shall come 
in for some of the scotching, too. But probably 
there’U be no such luck. Dave was ranking offi- 
cer ashore, and I acted only on his orders. I 
wish I could take my share in the storm. 

Having read the last page of the report, the 
Admiral slowly, thoughtfully folded it, laying it 
away in a pigeon-hole over his desk. 

“Surely, Mr. Darrin, you found some new ways 
of treating a Chinese viceroy, or, I should say, 
governor,” remarked the fleet commander dryly. 

“I tried, sir, not to subject him to any annoy- 
ance or indignity that could be avoided,” Darrin 
responded gravely. 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


167 


^^And in a way that would have been impos- 
sible, had the governor been attended by his 
usual number of troops,’’ continued Admiral 
Branch. ^‘Under the circumstances, however, you 
treated him in a way that I, as a junior officer, 
often longed to handle many an important Chi- 
nese official.” 

Though the fleet commander spoke gravely 
there was an unmistakable twinkle in his eyes. 
Dave’s hopes began to rise. 

shall endorse Lieutenant-Commander Tut- 
hill’s report as being satisfactory to myself,” con- 
tmued the Admiral, ^^and then shaU send the re- 
port on through the usual channels. And I sin- 
cerely trust, Mr. Darriu, that the Navy and State 
Departments at Washington will also endorse the 
report. For myself. Ensign Darrm, I congratu- 
late you on your handling of a most imusual and 
highly difficult lot of problems. I congratulate 
you, sir,” continued Admiral Branch. shall be 
glad to have you aboard this ship.” 

‘Dn this ship, sir?” asked Darrin, as he took 
the Admiral’s outstretched hand. 

‘Wes; but that is another story, and perhaps 
I had better tell that first. Some transfers have 
been ordered in the Asiatic Fleet. Among other 
changes, Ensigns Holton and Brown, now on this 
ship, are ordered to duty on the ‘Castoga,’ and 
Ensigns Darrin and Dalzell are ordered to the 


168 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


^Katahdin/ I fancy, gentlemen/’ turning to the 
two younger officers present, ^^that very likely you 
have seen as much as you wish of China for the 
present, so you will be glad to know that this 
ship is ordered to Japan, and that we shall likely 
be there for two months or more. You will move 
your baggage over to this ship and report for 
duty as quickly as possible.” 


CHAPTER XVI 

THE MEDALLION MYSTERY 

tULLO, Darrin ; come over here just a mo- 

I — I ment. I want you to see something that 
is rather unusual, even in Japan.” 

Two young men, who had just entered the 
American Club in Tokio, turned when this hail 
to one of them was heard. 

The hail came from a group in which sat four 
Americans, one Englishman and three young 
Japanese. The latter three were in the uniforms 
of lieutenants of the Emperor’s infantry. 

^^Come over with me, Dan,” urged Dave in a 
low voice, as Dalzell held back slightly. 

‘T wasn’t invited,” murmured Dan. 

^^You simpleton, that’s because Carter doesn’t 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


169 


know you. I can introduce you, and that will 
set you straight.’^ 

‘^How are you, Carter?’^ asked Dave, as he 
went straight up to the young man who had 
hailed him and held out his hand. “I wish to in- 
troduce my friend, Mr. Dalzell, same service and 
same ship.’’ In turn Dave and Dan were pre- 
sented to all in the group. 

The American naval officers wore blue civilian 
suits. Carter belonged to the diplomatic service, 
and was now stationed in Tokio. Dave had first 
met him in Washington. One of the other Amer- 
icans was in business in Tokio, and the other two 
were tourists. 

“Mr. Katura was showing us something so 
wonderful,” Carter explained, “that I asked his 
permission to call you over to see it. Will you 
show that wonderful medallion again, Katura?” 

The little lieutenant, who appeared to be very 
shy and diffident, flushed slightly as he bowed. 
Then, from an inner pocket, he drew out a small 
lacquer box, from which he took out and passed 
to Dave a filigree gold plate on which appeared 
the delicately tinted face of a beautiful Japanese 
woman. 

“I never saw anything so wonderfully exquis- 
ite,” gasped Darrin, in genuine admiration. “I 
didn’t know that such beautiful work could be 
done.” 


170 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


^'No one in Japan could do it to-day/’ spoke up 
another of the Japanese officers, Toruma by 
name. ^That medallion comes from the most 
brilliant period of Satsuma art.” 

In that face the paler flesh tints had been laid, 
with wonderful minuteness of detail, from flaw- 
less mother of pearl. The hair, which stood out 
in life-like accuracy, had been worked in some 
highly polished blue-black stone. The teeth, as 
they showed in the parted lips of that tiny min- 
iature, were real seed pearls, worked in the exact 
shapes of the teeth represented. 

The most striking feature of aU was the beau- 
tiful red lips of the tiny mouth. This red had 
been laid in fine rubies, not showing separately, 
but blended delightfully. 

For fully two minutes Darrin gazed at the min- 
iature face, fascinated with the beauty of the 
thing. Dan, standing by, admired it also. 

^^Now, try the effect of this magnifying glass 
on the face,” suggested Carter. 

^Tt would be almost wicked to hold a magnify- 
ing glass over such a treasure,” protested Ensign 
Dave, recoiling slightly, as though from a pro- 
fanation of an art treasure. 

'Try the glass; don’t be afraid,” said Carter. 

So Dave took the glass, focusing it over the 
wonderful medallion. A cry of wonder escaped 
the young ensign’s lips. 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


171 


‘^Can you find the slightest appearance of 
roughness under the glass?'’ asked the American 
diplomat. 

cannot/' Dave confessed. 

‘Think of the wonderful work of the artist/' 
suggested Toruma^ “who, in an age when mag- 
nifying glasses were unknown, could join all the 
parts of that inlaying so perfectly." 

“It is wonderful," murmured Dave. “The 
artist's eyes must have been as keen as any mag- 
nifying lens." 

For some minutes more Darrin examined the 
medallion, both with the glass and without. The 
Japanese, smiling and affable, stood enjoying his 
very evident pleasure. Their hearts warmed to a 
foreigner who could feel such real appreciation 
of the marvels of the ancient art of their country. 

“Here, I am afraid that you had better take 
this from me," begged Darrin laughingly, at last. 
“If it is much longer in my possession I shall be 
under a temptation to commit grand larceny." 

Smilmg, Lieutenant Katura held out his hand 
to receive the treasure. 

“It has been in our family for at least six hun- 
dred years," he explained proudly, though with- 
out any sign of boastfulness. “It belongs to my 
mother." 

“I should think you would be afraid of its being 
stolen," suggested Dave. 


172 DAVE DAERIN ON 

^Drdinarily it is kept in the Okugawa Bank, in 
our family vault, explained the little lieutenant. 
‘Dnce Mr. Carter saw the medallion, at our home, 
and to-day he begged me to bring it here to show 
to some of his friends. I am glad to have been 
honored with an opportunity to give you pleas- 
ure by the sight of it.” 

“But surely you don^t carry such a treasure 
loosely in your pocket like that,” Dave almost 
protested. 

“Why not?” smiled Katura. 

“Are you not afraid of its being stolen?” Dar- 
rin went on. 

“Not likely,” declared the little lieutenant. “I 
am able to defend myself, and I shall have my 
friends with me on my trip back to the Okugawa 
Bank.” 

“But pickpockets might brush against you in 
a crowd, and take it from you,” Dave hinted. 

“They will not have that chance,” smiled Ka- 
tura. “From here to the bank my friends and I 
will go in jinrikishas.” 

As the tiffin (luncheon) hour drew near, the 
club rooms began to fill. There were, perhaps, a 
hundred newcomers. 

“You’ll come to our table, Darrin?” asked Mr. 
Carter. 

“I thank you, and under any other circum- 
stances I would,” Dave answered. “My wife 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


173 


will be expecting me at the hotel. She and I have 
not had many opportunities to lunch together 
since I entered the service. So I shall have to be 
going along soon.’’ 

‘A’'ou’ll stay, Dalzell?” asked the diplomat. 

Dan decided that he would. The Japanese 
officers were invited to remain, but replied that 
they had duties claiming their attention. 

So Dave left with Lieutenants Katura, Tor- 
uma and Hata. In the main corridor these de- 
parting ones found themselves somewhat delayed, 
owing to the press of the crowd about one of the 
coat-rooms. 

At last they got through. A Japanese attend- 
ant, saluting the three officers of his own coun- 
try, ran nimbly to the end of the porch, striking 
his hands together and summoning three jinrik- 
isha men, who raced up to the steps. 

^Tarewell, for an hour or two, at least, Ameri- 
can brother in arms,” cried Toruma, the most 
talkative of the three Japanese. Friendly salutes 
were exchanged, and the Japanese trio were 
rushed away. 

Dave’s jinrikisha came around. In appearance 
it was an exaggerated baby-carriage, with shafts, 
between which a stout Japanese coolie played the 
part of a horse. 

These curious little street vehicles are com- 
fortable, and the seasoned coolie in the shafts 


174 DAVE DAERIN ON 

often displays great speed. The slowest he is 
allowed to travel on short journeys, when he has 
a fare in his Tiksha, is five miles an hour. 

^‘To the Imperial Hotel, said Dave briefly. 
That was all that was needed. The human 
^Torse” in the shafts would do the rest. 

In a few minutes Dave arrived at the big, 
handsome Imperial Hotel. This hostelry, fa- 
mous among travelers in the East, is an imposing 
white pile, built originally by the Japanese gov- 
ernment, that travelers might be sure of having a 
stopping place as comfortable as any in the lands 
from which they came. Bit by bit the manage- 
ment bought over the government’s interest in 
the hotel, until now it is privately owned, though 
the pride of the Japanese is such that the govern- 
ment still supervises the hotel, and sees to it that 
the high standard is kept up. 

As Dave Darrin entered he passed into one of 
the parlors at the entrance. BeUe rose and came 
forward, a glad little cry on her lips. 

^^How thankful I am that I thought of coming 
to Yokohama!” she cried. 'Tt was but a step 
to Tokio. And you are punctual.” 

‘Tt is one of the virtues — or vices — of an offi- 
cer and a gentleman,” Darrin laughed, as he bent 
over to kiss her. 

^^And now are you ready for tiffin, dear?” 
shall be as soon as I have made my toilet,” 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


175 


Dave replied. ‘^May I have your indulgence that 
long?^’ 

'^Certainly.” 

Going below Ensign Darrin washed off the dust 
of his forenoon’s wanderings, smoothed back his 
hair, and with a final look in the glass drew on 
his coat and started above. 

Dave was now in about the middle of a three- 
weeks’ leave, which DalzeU had taken at the same 
time. In the Navy service an officer does not 
have, regularly, one day in every seven on which 
he is free from toil. He is on duty, day and night, 
seven days a week. By way of leisure he is al- 
lowed a certain portion of every month, when 
practicable, in the way of ^fieave.” When an offi- 
cer has no especial use for leave, he often allows 
it to accumulate, and then later on secures a long 
enough leave to use up his privileges in the way 
of absence from duty. So Dave was now on a 
three-weeks’ leave — a ^Vacation” it would be 
called in civil life. 

Several other officers from the ^^Katahdin” were 
in either Yokohama or Tokio. The former city, 
only a few miles from the latter, is the port of 
entry for the Japanese capital. In the harbor at 
Yokohama the American flagship now lay. 

Up to the present Darrin had devoted most of 
his waking time to escorting Belle through the 
bewildering Japanese shops, to Uyeno Park, to 


176 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


the Japanese theatres, to the famous temples, 
and all the other sights that attract tourists. 

But this forenoon Darrin had spent in going 
about Tokio, meeting a few of the people whom 
he had known in other parts of the world. There 
was Lieutenant Anstey, one of Dick Prescott’s 
West Point chums, now on duty at the American 
Embassy; there were naval ofi&cers, and two or 
three men in the diplomatic service. Dave had 
even called at the Japanese Navy Department to 
shake hands with two Japanese ofiScers whom he 
had met in Europe. These latter two were ab- 
sent, and Dave, leaving cards, had promised to 
return in the afternoon. 

^Wou are going to be busy this afternoon?” 
Belle asked as they sat at tifl&n. 

shall have to make two or three calls, but I 
shall come back to you as early as I can.” 

Two or three times it was on the tip of Darrin’s 
tongue to tell his wife of the wonderful medallion 
he had seen that morning. In each case some re- 
mark or question of Mrs. Darrin’s had prevented. 

In the meantime, Lieutenant Katura, on enter- 
ing the Okugawa Bank, had made an amazing 
and frightful discovery. The lacquer box, con- 
taining the priceless Satsuma medallion, was not 
in any of his pockets! The young lieutenant’s 
grief was most frantic. In vain Toruma and Hata 
tried to comfort him. 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


177 


An hour after Ensign Darrin had left the Im- 
perial Hotel, on his way to the Navy Depart- 
ment and elsewhere, Belle Darrin, going up to 
their rooms, found a little package and a note 
lying on a table in the middle of their parlor. 

Scenting some loving surprise from her hus- 
band, Belle, womanlike, opened the package first, 
disclosing a small lacquer box. In the box she 
found the same medallion that had so fascinated 
her young husband that forenoon. 

'Dh, oh, oh!” cried the delighted girl, in as 
many notes of happiness. 

Then, still eager, she laid down the medallion 
and tore open the envelope. On a sheet of heavy 
paper she read : 

^^Dear Mrs. Darrin : This comes to your hand 
from one who is a stranger to you, but who is a 
most devoted friend of your husband. He has 
admired the pretty trinket which comes with this 
note, and I know that he had it in mind that he 
would dearly love to hand it to you. I am taking 
the liberty, as your husband^s friend, of pleasing 
Ensign Darrin, the dearest fellow in the world. 
But I am going to ask of you a very unusual 
favor. Fearing that your husband might have 
the extreme delicacy to insist upon returning this 
bauble, I am going to ask you not to mention re- 
ceipt of it until to-morrow. By that time the 
sender, as your husband will know, will be too far 

i2 4 Dave Darrin on the Asiatic Station 


178 


DAVE DAERIN ON 


away for the immediate return of this trifle. By 
the time that he can communicate with me again 
I trust that he will have agreed to give me the 
great pleasure of making him happier through the 
knowledge that his wife possesses a treasure that 
I know he wished to secure for her. 

With every best assurance, 

(Signed) X. Polemkin.'' 

This strange note dropped from Belle's fingers 
to the table. There was a clouded look in her 
€yes. She did not even turn for another glance 
at the priceless medallion. 

^^Secrets from my husband?" she murmured, 
pouting. don’t believe I can do a thing like 
that. No; it wouldn’t be right. As soon as Dave 
returns I must show him this medallion and the 
note.’’ 

Perhaps, in her heart. Belle hoped that Dave 
would tell her that circumstances were such that 
she might properly keep the gift so strangely 
sent. Be that as it might, Belle Darrin had no 
notion of keeping any secret that might mean a 
wound to her gallant young husband’s trusting 
heart. 

‘T shall see what Dave says,’’ murmured Belle, 
as she turned away from the table. 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


179 


CHAPTER XVII 

DAVE FACES THE HUMAN TEMPEST 

L ieutenant katura stood in the long 

counting-room of the Okugawa Bank, a 
film of despair over his eyes, while Toruma 
and Hata, their words exhausted, looked on help- 
lessly. Just then a young man, perhaps an Amer- 
ican, well-dressed, keen, hustling and alerts 
bustled up to them. 

^^WiU you pardon my addressing you?^^ he 
asked. was at the American Club, and from 
the look on your face, sir, I fear that you may 
have been made the butt of too rough a piece of 
work.’’ 

''What do you mean, sir?” hastily asked Lieu- 
tenant Toruma, for Katura seemed incapable of 
speaking. 

"Why, I saw you three on your way out 
through the crush around the coat room,” ex- 
plained the stranger. "With you was one of my 
countrymen, I should judge.” 

"An American, yes,” Toruma nodded. 

"I saw him play a little trick on your friend 
here,” nodding at Katura. "At the time I did not 


180 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


think much about it, and I might have forgotten 
it, had not business brought me here. But my 
first look at you made me feel certain that some- 
thing was wrong.^’ 

‘^Something is wrong,” rephed Lieutenant Tor- 
uma quickly. ^^But what was it that you saw 
near the coat room of the American Club?” 

saw my countryman slip his hand in one of 
your pockets, sir,” continued the stranger, ad- 
dressing Katura. ^^He took out some small ob- 
ject — a lacquer box, I should say, but I cannot 
be sure.” 

^‘It was a lacquer box!” cried Katura, a fierce 
light leaping to his eyes, while his face, first pal- 
ing, next turned to a deep red hue. ^‘It is a 
lacquer box that I have just missed.” 

^^And Mr. Darrin remarked that he felt much 
tempted to steal it,” broke in Lieutenant Hata. 

''Be still, Hata, please,” begged Katura, re- 
covering his own dignity. "Mr. Darrin is an 
American officer and a gentleman, not a thief!” 

"I trust I haven’t intruded, and that I haven’t 
made any trouble,” the stranger went on, hastily, 
"but you appeared to me to be in so much trouble 
that, as a gentleman, I felt I must speak to you.” 

"And I thank you from the bottom of my 
heart, sir!” cried Katura, his eyes once more 
gleaming fiercely, despite the gentleness of his 
words. 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


181 


‘Tt was probably all a joke/^ the stranger 
smiled, “but I am glad if I have been able to 
save you from any anguish of mind. Of course 
you will see my countryman — Barron, did you 
say his name is? I know that I may rely upon 
you all not to bring me into the matter.” 

“You may depend upon us for the courtesy 
that is due to one gentleman from others,” prom- 
ised Lieutenant Toruma. 

Then, as their informant left them, the three 
Japanese held swift, sorrowful conference. 

“Of course we must go to the hotel at once and 
see Mr. Darrin,” proposed Toruma. 

“I feel that it will be necessary,” bowed Ka- 
tura. “But let none of my friends suspect that 
it was more than a joke. An American oflSicer 
and gentleman could not be an intentional thief.” 

“Even as a joke it was in very, very bad tasfe,” 
declared Lieutenant Hata slowly and gravely. 

“Say not so,” urged Katura. “Let us say 
nothing, and suspect or accuse no gentleman.” 

“But let us go to the Imperial Hotel as fast as 
possible,” urged Lieutenant Toruma. 

“By all means,” agreed Hata. 

So Katura, who was sorrowful and dazed, felt 
thankful that he had loyal friends with him to 
do his thinking for him at this moment. 

Not many minutes were needed for reaching 
the Imperial. Three little Japanese officers, with 


182 


DAVE DAERIN ON 


smiling faces, entered and went to the desk in the 
hotel office. 

'We desire to see Mr. Darrin of the American 
Navy,’^ declared Toruma, speaking in Japanese to 
the clerk, who was a fellow-countryman. 

"I regret much to say that Mr. Darrin is out,’’ 
replied the clerk. 

"Then may we do ourselves the honor of wait- 
ing until your guest returns?” asked Hata. 

"Officers of his majesty the Emperor will con- 
fer distinction upon this poor hotel by deigning 
to wait,” replied the clerk. 

So the three Japanese officers walked into a 
parlor, where they took seats, knowing that they 
would be notified when Ensign Darrin re- 
appeared at the hotel. 

At about this time. Belle, who had been absent 
from her rooms for a few moments, was looking 
diligently for the note that had accompanied the 
lacquer box. 

"I closed and locked the door when I went out, 
so I can’t understand what has happened to that 
note,” mused Belle Darrin perplexedly, as she 
hunted about the room. 

The medallion itself still lay on the table, but 
to that the young wife now paid no heed. 

So much did the disappearance of the note per- 
plex her that Belle spent some minutes in the 
vain search for it. 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


183 


At last, a perplexed frown on her face, she 
again picked up the lacquer box and stood gazing 
at the exquisite, precious medallion. 

Below, Dave entered the hotel. He passed 
quickly through, going to the stairs. 

Not immediately did he go to his apartment. 
First of aU he turned down a corridor on the sec- 
ond floor to speak to Lieutenant Barbes from the 
‘^Katahdin.’^ 

But the clerk, who saw Dave pass through the 
lobby, himself stepped into the parlor where the 
three Japanese lieutenants waited. Bowing very 
low, the clerk informed them that Mr. Darrin 
had returned and had gone to his apartment. 

^The number of that apartment?’^ cried Tor- 
uma. 

The clerk gave the number, forgetting to add 
that Mrs. Darrin was also there. Nor did the 
Japanese officers remember that Dave was mar- 
ried. 

So, Toruma leading the way, the three filed up 
the stairs, sought the apartment, and knocked on 
the door. 

Inside, Belle, the lacquer box in her hand, and 
supposing that it was a servant who had knocked, 
stepped over to open the door. 

And there she stood in the doorway, the lacquer 
box in her hand, the medallion plainly showing. 

The eyes of the three young officers imme- 


184 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


diately turned toward that priceless heirloom, not 
a betraying sign came to their faces. 

^^A thousand pardons, madam,’^ begged Tor- 
uma. ^‘We have knocked at the wrong door. We 
sought the apartment of Mr. Darrin.^^ 

“Then you have found the right door,’^ smiled 
Belle. “I am Mrs. Darrin. Unfortunately, my 
husband is out.” 

“We were wrongly informed that he had re- 
turned,” apologized Toruma, bowing low. “We 
crave a thousand pardons, and hasten to with- 
draw.” 

“Shall I tell Mr. Darrin who called?” asked 
Belle. 

“We shall do ourselves the honor to see Mr. 
Darrin soon after he returns,” replied Lieutenant 
Toruma sweetly, in a voice in which there was no 
suspicion of menace. 

“Who asks for me, gentlemen?” hailed a merry 
voice, as Ensign Dave Darrin rounded a turn in 
the corridor, and came upon the party. “Tor- 
uma? Katura? Hata? This is a pleasure.” 

“We shall go to the main parlor below,” said 
Toruma courteously, taking the hand that Dave 
extended, as did the others. “May we hope to 
see you there, sir, at your own convenience?” 

“I will be down inside of five minutes,” Dave 
promised lightly, and the Japanese bowed them- 
selves away. 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


185 


Unconsciously Belle had thrown behind her 
the hand that held the lacquer box. For that 
reason Dave did not see it until he had stepped 
inside and had closed the door after him. 

Then, of a sudden, young Mrs. Darrin re- 
membered her surprise, and held forward the box 
in such a way as to display the medallion lying 
in it. 

^T have something strange, Dave dear, to tell 
you about this,’^ she announced. 

With an astonished cry Dave caught up the 
box. 

‘Why it is — it must be — the heirloom that 
Katura showed me at the American Club this 
morning,’’ he uttered. 

“Mr. Katura’s?” echoed Belle. 

“Yes. And so he came here and offered it to 
you? Belle, my dear, we cannot accept such — ” 

“Oh, do you think it could have been Mr. Ka- 
tura who sent it to me?” the young wife asked. 

“Sent it to you? Don’t you know who gave it 
to you?” Ensign Darrin asked, in amazement. 
“Didn’t he hand it to you just now?” 

“Oh, no, indeed!” Belle exclaimed. “Listen, 
Dave.” 

Thereupon Mrs. Darrin related all she knew of 
the matter. She and Dave spent some minutes 
together in hunting for the strange note, which 
could not be found. 


186 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


'^No use in looking any further/^ Darrin de- 
clared, at last. ‘^Besides Katura is waiting for me 
below. I will take this medallion back to him. 
Certainly he can clear up the matter for me.’^ 
Pull of uprightness of purpose Dave Darrin 
started below, to face a storm that was certain 
to be past his comprehension. 


CHAPTER XVIII 

MR. KATURA DOES SOME ASTOUNDING 

^"1“^ ATURA, my dear fellow, I’m immensely 
|\ sorry to have kept you waiting,” cried 
Dave genially, as he entered the parlor. 
His nod took in Toruma and Hata as weU. 

^The waiting has not been tiresome,” replied 
Katura coldly, rising to his feet, as did his com- 
rades in arms. 

“And now, Katura,” Dave went on, “I am going 
to ask you if you can clear up the mystery as to 
how this medallion, this magnificent heirloom of 
of yours, fell into Mrs. Darrin’s hands.” 

“I came to see if you could account for that,” 
replied the little lieutenant coldly, though his 
face still wore a smile. 

“Why, what do you mean?” asked Dave. “All 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


187 


I know is that, upon my return, I found that Mrs. 
Darrin had been presented, under very strange 
circumstances, with this medallion, which I in- 
stantly recognized as yours.’’ 

‘T saw it in her hand when she opened the 
door to us,” Katura answered. ^^Beyond that, 
about aU that I know, Mr. Darrin, is that, upon 
my arrival at the Okugawa Bank, I found the box 
missing from the pocket in which I had placed it.” 

‘Then it was not you who sent this box and its 
contents to Mrs. Darrin?” the American ensign 
demanded. 

‘T did not send it to her,” Katura rejoined. 

“Then how did she come to receive it?” 

“That is what I have come to ask you, Mr. 
Darrin,” returned the little infantry lieutenant. 

“What do you mean?” asked Dave, coloring 
slightly, for, despite the smiles on the three Jap- 
anese faces, there was something accusing in 
their manners. 

“How did this box happen to reach your wife?” 
asked Lieutenant Hata, gravely. 

Dave frankly related the circumstances as told 
him by his wife. 

“If we could see the note, that might throw 
some light on the matter,” suggested Lieutenant 
Hata, darkly. 

“That is the curious part of it, gentlemen,” 
said Dave, gravely. “Soon after the gift came 


188 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


that note disappeared, and neither Mrs. Darrin 
nor I have been able to find any trace of it.’^ 

^That is certainly remarkable,^' said Hata, with 
emphasis. 

^Tery remarkable," agreed Toruma. 

‘^So remarkable, added Katura, ^^that I can- 
not comprehend it at all." 

^^At any rate, before I leave Tokio," proposed 
Darrin, shall hope to have the whole matter 
cleared up." 

For the second time Lieutenant Katura’s face 
fiushed a fiery red. He could not help feeling 
that he was being lightly or insolently used. In 
his own mind the Japanese was not prepared to 
suspect an American officer and gentleman of de- 
liberate theft. 

^^Mr. Darrin," asked Katura, ^‘is this your idea 
of a really clever joke?" 

^What do you mean, sir?" demanded Dave 
Darrin, flushing in turn. 

^^Can you realize, sir, how I must have felt," 
the little lieutenant went on, ^Vhen my mother 
permitted me to take this medallion from the 
bank vault to show it to American friends, and 
then I returned to the bank to find that the heir- 
loom was missing from my pocket?" 

^‘I have told you all that I know about the 
matter," Ensign Dave insisted with dignity. ‘‘Is 
that not enough?" 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


189 


“No, sir, it is not!” replied Lieutenant Ka- 
tura, firmly. “I trust you will pardon me when I 
say that it was all a very stupid joke!” 

“Joke?” gasped Dave. “Do you mean — ” 

He paused, unwilling to finish the sentence, 
for it seemed to him that this angry little Jap- 
anese had suddenly thrown a doubt around Mrs. 
Darrin^s word. 

“You have no further explanation to offer me?” 
asked Katura frigidly. 

“There is no other explanation to be offered, 
sir,” Dave Darrin returned, with equal stiffness. 

“Then I am sorry, but I have to do — this!” 

Advancing a step or two. Lieutenant Katura 
landed the fiat of his right hand across the cheek 
of the American ensign. 

Swifter than a flash Ensign Darrin returned 
the insult in the same manner. 

“That is enough of this, between gentlemen,” 
exclaimed Lieutenant Toruma, leaping between 
the two angry young officers. Hata followed, 
saying: 

“Quite enough!” 

“The rest,” remarked Toruma, “can be settled 
in a much different fashion.” 

Dave cooled down a bit, realizing that he had 
sustained himself by returning the insult in the 
same form in which it had been delivered. Un- 
less he were struck again he did not propose to 


190 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


discredit himself by brawling in the parlor of a 
hotel. 

Katura, after a moment of suUenness, flashed 
at Toruma a look that the latter quite under- 
stood. 

‘^Have you any idea, Mr. Darrin,” Toruma 
asked, ^Vhen I shall be fortunate enough to find 
Mr. DalzeU in?” 

‘Trobably at about five-thirty,” Dave an- 
swered. ^‘He will wish to dress, and we dine at 
six.” 

^‘Then we will do ourselves the honor of wish- 
ing you good afternoon,” said Hata, bowing low. 
In another moment the three Japanese had left 
the room. 

'Well, of all the odd experiences!” muttered 
Ensign Darrin, frowning. After a moment or 
two he left the parlor, going direct to his apart- 
ment. 

'Was it Mr. Katura who sent me that medal- 
lion?” asked Belle, at once. 

"He says not,” Dave answered. 

"Then who — ” 

"Belle, dear, do you mind letting me think this 
little puzzle out in silence?” begged Dave. 

For a long time he sat silent. At last he told 
Belle what had happened below. 

"But why should Mr. Katura strike you?” 
asked Belle, her eyes flashing. 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


191 


‘That is what I cannot understand,” Dave re- 
joined, in a hurt tone. “I have looked upon 
Katura as a fine little fellow, and I imagine him 
to be the soul of honor.” 

“Does he doubt your word, then, about the 
manner in which the medallion came into our 
possession?” Belle quizzed. 

“He had better not,” her young husband re- 
torted. “I would not be patient under an insinu- 
ation that my word is doubted. Belle, I cannot 
explain any single part of the matter.” 

So the pair talked it over for a long time, but 
no point in the tangle became a whit clearer. 

Late in the afternoon there came a knock at 
the door. 

“Come in,” called Dave. 

“Hullo! There you are,” cried Danny Grin, 
opening the door a little and showing his head. 
“Good afternoon, Mrs. Darrin. Dave, old fellow, 
have you time to favor me with just a little visit 
in my room?” 

“Why, certainly,” assented Darrin, rising at 
once, for there was suppressed excitement in Dal- 
zelFs voice. 

Dan, however, remained silent until he had led 
the way down the corridor and' had closed the 
door of his room on the chums. 

“Now, Dave,” gasped the other young ensign, 
“what is all this about?” 


192 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


‘What is what about?’’ parried Dave. 

“Why,” Danny rattled on, “there is some yarn 
about Katura’s medallion having come into your 
possession. You and Katura had some words in 
the parlor, and he struck you in the face.” 

“And I promptly returned the blow in kind,” 
Darris responded. 

“Exactly,” nodded Dalzell. “That appears to 
have been the start that is to lead up to some- 
thing very pretty. When I came in I found 
Toruma and Hata awaiting me. They told me 
that Katura had sent them to see me, or any 
other friend or friends who you may prefer, to 
arrange for a meeting at which the memory of 
the blows exchanged should be wiped out. In 
plain words, David, little giant, you are chal- 
lenged to fight a duel with Lieutenant Katura.” 

“A duel?” echoed Dave Darrin, aghast. “That’s 
a joke!” 

“If it is,” retorted Danny Grin, dryly, “then 
please help me to find out the point at which I 
am to laugh.” 

“But I have sworn to uphold the laws of the 
United States and to obey the regulations of the 
United States Navy,” Dave continued, “and duel- 
ing is against the regulations.” 

“It looks,” returned Dan, soberly, “as though 
you would have to fight, or ‘lose face.’ ” 

“And if I engage in a duel,” Dave retorted, “I 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


193 


have perjured myself, for I shall have broken the 
regulations that I am sworn to obey/^ 

‘‘Well, then,’' Dan inquired, “what are you go- 
ing 'to do? Go back aboard the ‘Katahdin’ and 
fore 50 all shore leave as long as we are in Japa- 
nese waters? But, for that matter, would naval 
officers of any foreign service respect you any- 
where* in the world? Eor the officers of most 
navies stiU fight duels at need, and the Japanese 
officers would be likely to snub you, in every for- 
eign port, for what they would consider your 
‘shame.’ ” 

“But on what basis am I expected to fight?” 
Dave demanded. “Because I answered Katura’s 
blow on the face?” 

“I suppose that is the pretended reason,” Dal- 
zell answered, gravely. “Of course every one fa- 
miliar with dueling will know that some deeper 
cause exists.” 

“It must be the inexplicable matter of the me- 
dallion that makes Katura so anxious to slit my 
windpipe with a sword, or drive a bullet through 
my breast,” Dave went on. “I must tell you^ 
Dan, all that I know about this wretched matter 
of the medallion.” 

Danny Grin’s eyes opened wider and wider as 
he heard the tale. 

“That’s the story,” nodded Dalzell vigorously, 
when he had heard it all. “I understand now, 

I S ■ ' 4 Dave Darrin on the AsioAxc Station 


194 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


Katura can’t think that you stole the medallion. 
That would be altogether contrary to the nati ire 
of an officer and a gentleman. But he figures 
that you took the medallion from him as a joke, 
and when he realizes that you, in turn, night 
have lost it, and thinks of the anguish of his 
mother, who owns the medallion, then Katura’s 
blood is up, and he must fight you. Hence, he 
gave you the blow in the face, which you 
returned. Therefore, according to the ideals of 
the duello, you owe him a meeting on the field of 
honor.” 

^^That field of honor will have grown into a 
forest, if he waits until I meet him there,” Dave 
declared firmly. 

^^Then you simply won’t fight a duel.” 

^‘1 shall not!” 

^What grounds shall I give for your refusal?” 

‘^Simply tell Katura’s seconds that duelling is 
against the United States Naval Regulations, 
which I have sworn to obey and uphold. Tell 
Mr. Katura’s seconds that I decline, on any pre- 
text, to break the regulations knowingly.” 

^'Whew!” whistled Danny Grin. “The Japa- 
nese smile is historic, and a thing of beauty, but 
I can see the assortment of Japanese smiles that 
will greet any such reply on my part. I shall get 
a regular Japanese horse laugh!” 

“Then when you meet Toruma and Hata, cut 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


195 


the interview as short as you can/’ Dave sug- 
gested, ''and get it over with. But make it as 
plain as you know how that I simply won’t fight 
a duel.” 

"Oh, I can make it plain enough, and they will 
believe me in a minute — no trouble about that,” 
Dan murmured as he rose. "But they will decline 
to believe in your lofty ideas of right and wrong, 
and will set it all down to plain American cow- 
ardice.” 

"I am sorry to impose any such errand upon 
you, Danny boy,” sighed Dave. "But I will go 
with you, and speak for myself.” 

"Oh, that wouldn’t do at all,” protested Dan, 
aghast. "In dueling the principal never goes to 
meet the other chap’s seconds. His own second 
must do that for him.” 

"But there isn’t going to be any duel,” smiled 
Dave, "and I am not a principal, nor are you my 
second. You are my friend, and the best in the 
world, but you will never be my second.” 

"There’s going to be the dickens of a mix-up,” 
grunted Dalzell, as, after wringing Darrin’s hand, 
he moved toward the door. "I’ll do the best I 
can, but you must expect, after declining a duel, 
to be snubbed everywhere in Tokio.” 

"Then I shall endeavor to set Tokio an example 
in calmness,” smiled Dave again. But the instant 
that the door had closed on him, and he strolled 


196 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


down the hallway, a thoughtful frown came to 
his face. 

In the meantime Dan Dalzell was hastening 
below, on a by no means pleasant mission. 

Just now Dave did not want to go back to 
Belle, for fear she might question him. After a 
turn or two he went back to DalzelFs room. 

Half an hour later, growing impatient, Dave 
decided to go below and to address Toruma and 
Hata himself. 

Down in the lobby Ensign Dave beheld Lieu- 
tenants Toruma and Hata, talking with two men 
who looked like Englishmen. 

‘‘Dan must have finished his part,’^ thought 
Dave. “I’U see if I can draw Toruma aside.” 

Just as Dave Darrin approached the group Tor- 
uma caught sight of him. 

Some low-voiced remark ran through the 
group. 

“May I have a word with you, Mr. Toruma, at 
your convenience?” Dave inquired. 

There was no reply. The two Japanese and 
the English pair merely wheeled about abruptly, 
turning their backs upon him. 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


197 


CHAPTER XIX 

DAN FIRES A WARM SHOT 

F lushing slightly, though with no other 
outward sign, Dave turned upon his heel 
and left the group. 

can understand the attitude of the Japanese 
officers, but why should Englishmen turn against 
me?’^ Dave wondered. ^The average English- 
man has no more patience with silly dueling than 
we Americans have.^^ 

It would have done Dave's heart good, just 
then, had he known how Danny Grin had met 
and talked to the two Japanese seconds. 

On hearing that Ensign Darrin would not, 
under any circumstances, consent to a duel, Tor- 
uma and Hata had smiled as genially as Dan had 
expected they would do. 

'T don’t know,” pursued Dan, ^Vhether you 
can understand the feelings that prompt an offi- 
cer to decline a duel.” 

‘The reason that comes most quickly to mind,” 
replied Toruma, “is the feeling of fear.” 

“Gentlemen, if you think that my friend, Dar- 
rin, is afraid of anything that is honorable, then 


198 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


you are poor judges of human nature/’ Dan re* 
plied, with some warmth. 

^‘But why should a naval man hesitate to ac- 
cept the appeal to arms?” inquired Toruma, with 
another smile. 

^^Darrin, to my positive knowledge, never did 
meet any call to arms with anything except calm 
joy,” Dalzell replied warmly. ^^In this present 
instance, if one of Mr. Darrin’s superior officers 
gave him an order to meet Mr. Katura on the field 
of honor, Darrin would be there ahead of time. 
But Mr. Darrin took the oath of the service, 
binding him to obey the Navy regulations, and 
one of those regulations expressly forbids him to 
fight duels, or to take any part in one.” 

''What shall we tell Mr. Katura?” pressed Hata 
darkly. 

"Tell him anything you please,” offered Danny 
Grin obligingly. 

"But he wiU feel at once, as we do, that Mr. 
Darrin declines the meeting because Mr. Darrin 
has not the valor to meet a resolute man on the 
field of honor.” 

Danny Grin looked thoughtful for a minute. 
Then he glanced up to ask: 

"How much actual military service, under fire, 
have you seen, Mr. Toruma?” 

"It has not, as yet, been my good fortune to 
see any,” replied Lieutenant Toruma. 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


199 


‘‘And you, Mr. Hata, may I inquire what is the 
extent of your service 

‘T have been as unfortunate in that respect as 
my friend, Toruma,’’ replied Hata. 

“Mr. Katura must have seen some active, hard 
service,” pressed Danny Grin. 

“Alas, no,” Toruma answered, “Mr. Katura 
has not been any more fortunate than have we.” 

“Darrin has seen some service,” Danny Grin 
went on calmly. “He was commended in orders 
for gallant and daring work when the Navy took 
Vera Cruz. Then, down in Vengara, in South 
America, in a revolution, he went, with one com- 
panion, into the wilds of Vengara to visit the 
camp of the former dictator, Benedito, who had 
an army behind him, fighting the government of 
Vengara. With the help of only that one com- 
panion, Darrin, in the heart of Benedito’s own 
army, took the ex-dictator captive, at the point 
of a revolver, and brought him through the for- 
ests, through the government lines as well, and 
turned General Benedito over to the United 
States forces.” 

“That was a splendid deed,” bowed Toruma. 

“Have you heard of the recent conduct of our 
Navy at Nu-ping, China?” Dan asked. 

“Oh, yes,” nodded Toruma. “That was an ex- 
cellently managed affair, and one highly credit- 
able to your Navy.” 


^00 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


^The officer who went ashore in command at 
Nu-ping/^ continued Dalzell, ^Vas the same offi- 
cer who seized the governor’s yamen, and who, 
through a day and a night, stood off thousands of 
Chines'e rebels, with only a handful of sailors and 
marines, and such small help as the American 
residents that he rescued could add, and forced his 
way through to the river. That officer was David 
Darrin, Ensign, United States Navy.” 

^^He did a splendid act,” admitted Lieutenant 
Toruma, bowing. 

‘^And now,” added Lieutenant Hata, ^ffie im- 
presses Japanese minds as being afraid to meet a 
Japanese on the field of honor!” 

^^See here,” broke in Danny Grin, dryly, ^Vhen 
a man has such a record, and has been so many 
times mentioned for bravery, don’t officers like 
yourselves and Mr. Katura, who have never 
smelled burning powder, feel a good deal like 
boys criticizing the courage of a veteran?” 

Toruma and Hata endeavored to smile, but 
Dan outdistanced them with one of his justly fa- 
mous and most sardonic grins, then turned on his 
heel and walked away, leaving the two very 
much ruffled young Japanese officers to them- 
selves. 

‘T won’t go up to Dave just yet,” Dan told 
himself. feel too mad inside. A walk in the 
grounds outside will cool me off just a bit.” 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


20L 


Around the Imperial Hotel the grounds are 
large and magnificent. Dan, once he plunged 

outside, began to walk with long, brisk strides. 
***** 

Dave, after his rebuff in the lobby, stepped 
more slowly toward the door. 

^Tll go out into the air a little while before I 
go back to Belle,^’ he decided. ‘^She might notice 
something and question me. I don’t believe I 
ought to tell her further details about the matter 
until later.” 

Within five minutes he ran plumply into Dan 
Dalzell, w^ho promptly told his chum of the in- 
terview with the seconds. 

‘That was good in the main, Danny boy,” 
laughed Darrin. “Only I am afraid you piled it 
on a bit thickly about my wonderful services in 
the Navy.” 

T had to,” blurted Dan. “I just had to! They 
were so smiling and so assured, that pair, that I 
had to put them in their place as boys without 
moustaches!” 

“But neither you nor I have moustaches, 
either,” smiled Dave, objectingly. 

“We could have, within three weeks, if only 
we’d let them grow,” Dan insisted. “Those Jap- 
anese boys couldn’t! Not one of them could 
grow more than three slight hairs on either side 
of the nose. I can assure you, Dave, that I 


202 


PAVE DAERIN ON 


slammed their youthfulness and their lack of 
fighting experience into them/^ 

^^Cheer up/' urged Dave pleasantly. ‘They 
have already recovered. In the hotel lobby, just 
now, when I went up to Toruma and Hata, they 
turned their backs on me without exhibiting a 
sign of embarrassment." 

‘That's because they were mad," chuckled 
Danny Grin. “I left a sting under the blouse of 
each." 

“At any rate," smiled Dave, taking his chum's 
hand, “you delivered my decision to them, and 
you acted like a loyal friend, same as you always 
have done. And now, suppose we return and 
dress for dinner. And remember, no word of this 
to Belle. I do not want her vacation spoiled by 
any knowledge of this business." 

But Dave Darrin, with his young wife on his 
arm, and with Dan following like a lord chamber- 
lain, had no sooner entered the dining room of 
the Imperial Hotel that evening than he felt the 
atmosphere surcharged with hostility. 

Several Japanese officers were dining there. 
Some Japanese merchants and bankers were 
there, as Veil. 

“Why, Dave, I feel as if something had hap- 
pened,'^ murmured Belle, as soon as the three 
were seated. “To-night, did you notice, none of 
the Japanese officers rose and made a bow to me? 


THE ASIATIC STATIOlSf 


203 


None of the Japanese anywhere in this big dining 
room as much as glanced our way. What can 
be the matter?^^ 

'Xet us hope/’ answered Dave, ^That they are 
absorbed with their own affairs.” 

‘T’m not disturbed, Mrs. Darrin,” said Dan 
lightly. ^^No doubt the novelty of our presence 
here has worn off.” 

American naval officers and two American 
infantry officers on leave in Japan, passed the 
table and bowed. But Belle was observant 
enough to note that no single Japanese in the 
great room offered the Darrin party the least form 
of courtesy. 

An hour later, at the conclusion of the meal, 
Dave and Dan escorted her to a parlor, then left 
her for a short time to return to the now brilliant 
scene in the hotel lobby. 

‘^Hullo, Darrin. I wanted to see you,” mur- 
mured Lieutenant Commander Emery, of the 
^^Katahdin,” coming up and joining the chums. 

’Evening, Dalzell. Now, Darrin, what is this 
rumor in the air about your refusing to meet a 
Japanese officer on the field?” 

‘T did have such an invitation,” Dave replied, 
‘ffiut I declined it on the ground that our regula- 
tions forbid my accepting.” 

‘^Of course you couldn’t fight,” nodded Lieu- 
tenant Commander Emery. ^^But see here, Dar- 


204 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


rin, why don’t you go back to the ship and re- 
main there as long as she lies in Yokohama?” 

“And give up my vacation with Mrs. Darrin?” 

“You won’t have a happy one,” Emery replied 
with a shake of the head. “Great Scott, man, 
don’t you realize what it means in some coun- 
tries, to decline a duel? You’ll be an outcast, a 
pariah in Tokio — scorned on every side as a 
coward who wears a uniform and a sword. You’re 
right not to fight, but for your own sake go back 
to the flagship and use the unexpired part of your 
leave in some other port. For Mrs. Darrin’s sake, 
don’t remain ashore and let her be tormented by 
the studied coldness that will be shown you 
everywhere in Tokio.” 

“I know that your advice is kindly meant, sir,” 
Dave replied. “However, I cannot take it.” 

“Here comes Decoeur, of the French Navy,” 
said Lieutenant Commander Emery, suddenly. 
“I want to shake hands with him.” 

Decoeur, looking slightly embarrassed, shook 
hands very cordially with Emery. 

“Commander Decoeur,” said Emery, “I wish 
to introduce my brother officers, Mr. Darrin and 
Mr. Dalzell.” 

Just the shadow of a bow was all Commander 
Decoeur gave the young ensigns. His hand did 
not come forward, but his eyebrows were elevated 
ever so little. Then he passed stiffiy on. 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


205 

‘^You see?^^ demanded Emery, flushing with 
rage. ''Darrin, you understand what the attitude 
in Tokio will be. Are you going to subject Mrs. 
Darrin to such humiliation?^’ 

"If any man dares to try to humiliate Mrs. Dar- 
rin,” declared Dave, coldly, "I’ll wring his neck!” 

"And I’ll take the scoundrel’s scalp-lock with 
my jackknife!” supplemented Danny Grin. 


CHAPTER XX 

RIGHT ON "happen STREET” 

T hat evening, Dave and Belle, and Dan, 
too, decided to spend a couple of hours 
at a native theatre. No unpleasant inci- 
dents marred their evening and Mrs. Darrin re- 
tired, that night, blissfully ignorant that anything 
was troubling her young husband. 

In the forenoon Dave and Belle went out to 
do some shopping, which is ever a joy to tourists 
in Japan. 

"Isn’t this delightful?” cried Belle, holding up a 
card that she had taken from an envelope re- 
ceived in the mail that morning. "Mrs. Fuller- 
ton, of the Embassy, has secured this card for us 
to attend the reception that the Prime Minister 


206 


DAVE DAERIN ON 


of Japan gives to the Emperor this afternoon at 
the Prime Minister’s official residence! I cer- 
tainly never expected to see the Emperor of 
Japan face to face.” 

^There will be a dreadful crush there,” replied 
Dave, with a secret sinking at heart. 

^Df course, if you don’t care to go — ” began 
young Mrs. Darrin, considerately. 

^‘Of course I do want to go,” Dave returned 
bravely. ^^Do you think I would entertain an 
idea of your missing such an event as that? Just 
think what a topic it will be for you when writing 
home to the folks in good old Gridley. Of course 
I’m going, in my best full-dress uniform.” 

So Belle, after their return to the hotel, laugh- 
ing happily, set to work to unload the contents of 
three trunks in an excited search for the gown 
that would ^^just do” for the reception. 

'^I’ll help you,” offered Dave, rather hope- 
lessly. 

You’ll do nothing of the sort, my dear,” 
laughed Belle merrily. ^^You hate the confusion 
that I’m going to start here, with every chair piled 
high with what you call Vhite and fleecy stuff.’ 
So run along and hunt up Dan, and come back 
in time for early luncheon. Of course you’ll see 
to engaging a carriage.” 

Dave went to the office flrst, arranging for a 
carriage to be ready at three in the afternoon. 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


207 


Then, resolutely ignoring all the cool glances and 
turned shoulders, he went upstairs again, knock- 
ing at Dalzelhs door and entering. 

''Going to the reception this afternoon?” asked 
Dan. 

"Certainly; Belle has a card for us,” Dave re- 
plied. 

"And yet Toruma and Hata insinuate that you 
have no courage!” muttered Dan under his 
breath. "One word of the truth, and Belle 
wouldn’t let you go if it were the last reception 
ever to be held on earth!” 

"You are invited?” Dave asked. 

"Oh, yes,” Dan nodded, pointing to a card on 
the table. "But I had made up my mind that I 
wouldn’t go unless Mrs. Darrin went and took 
you along.” 

"You are going so as to stand by me when the 
cold shoulder is turned my way!” cried Dave, his 
eyes flashing. "Dan, that is too much to ask, 
even of a friend like you. Besides, you cannot 
keep a single shoulder from turning.” 

"I like to be under fire when you are,” Danny 
Grin answered simply. "David, little giant, 
you’re a billly leader to stick to, for things happen 
where you are. Don’t I know that ! If you’re 
going, Dave, a file of marines couldn’t keep me 
away.” 

"Then I suppose there is no use in trying to 


208 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


dissuade you,” sighed Dave, ^^but I hate to drag 
you into every mess that I succeed in attracting 
to myself.” 

<<I^m going,” declared Danny Grin solemnly, 
'^for the purpose of being able to say, afterwards, 
that IVe seen the representative of the oldest 
dynasty on earth. Just on the side I^m going 
along because I couldn’t be paid to miss the cir- 
cus you’re almost certain to stir up whenever 
you’re angry or think you’ve been imposed upon. 
And I’ll be right at your left hand, David, little 
giant, in any fracas that starts!” 

^'I know that,” cried Darrin gratefully, gripping 
his chum’s hand and wringing it. 

‘^I am sorry that we never had a chance to see 
the late Emperor, his Majesty Mutsushito Ten- 
wo,” Dan continued, ‘^for the late Emperor was 
the man who opened Japan to foreign inter- 
course.” 

‘^Yes, I am sorry, too. However, his son, the 
present Emperor, is a distinguished and brilliant 
ruler, and has led his country wonderfully well in 
the part that Japan has had to play in the Euro- 
pean war.” 

Three o’clock saw three young people ready for 
the carriage that Dave had ordered. 

Though the drive was not a long one, it took 
some time to get through the crush of carriages 
that filled the last two blocks on the way to the 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


209 


Prime Minister's residence, for the Emperor and 
Empress of Japan attend few functions, and the 
one which they do grace is bound to be the great 
social event of the year in Tokio. 

Even after the carriage had delivered its passen- 
gers at the Prime Minister’s door, it was another 
long time ere the Darrin party succeeded in mak- 
ing its way through the dense throng to the im- 
mense chamber in which the reception was being 
held. 

As yet their Majesties had not arrived. The 
Prime Minister, Marquis Kotito, and his wife,, 
were receiving guests. Their Majesties would 
arrive late, and depart not long afterwards. 

No sooner had the names of Ensign and Mrs. 
Darrin, and of Ensign Dalzell, United States 
Navy, been called at the door, than Dave could 
not help noticing the little stir caused by the 
sound of his name. 

Only those nearest the entrance to the chamber 
could hear, in that great throng, the names an- 
nounced. But at the mention of it, Dave could 
see many an epauleted shoulder turn aside as its 
owner proceeded to ignore the passage of the 
Darrin party. 

But Belle, innocent of any knowledge of the 
Katura challenge, and eagerly absorbed in the 
general scene, did not notice that which caused 
her gallant young husband to square his shouh 

4 Dave Darrin on the Asiatic Station 


210 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


ders stiffly, while Ensign D. Grin looked about’ 
him with a lofty air, as though he deeply regretted 
that nothing but the extreme decorum of the 
occasion prevented his ^^starting something.” 

In due time the Darrin party had the pleasure 
of making their bows to Prime Minister Kotito 
and his marchioness, while Belle lightly touched 
her fingers to those of the Japanese grand lady in 
what might be termed a presentation handshake 

Then they were swept on, and soon found 
themselves gravitating toward the further end 
of the great chamber, for an ensigns’ party, at 
such an affair, is, after all, rather ‘^small fry,” the 
distinguished guests, native and foreign, being 
supposed to remain near the head of the room. 

In that scene of brilliant costumes and flashing 
jewels Belle found enough to interest her woman’s 
heart until majesty itself should appear. So she 
did not note that Dave and Dan stood aloof from 
nearly every one except the few American officers 
present. 

At last Lieutenant Commander Emery came 
up to the party. 

^‘Darrin,” he began, after greeting Belle, ‘^don’t 
you notice the progressing exodus of uniforms 
from the room?” 

^‘Yes,” Dave assented. ^What does it mean?” 

'Word has arrived that their Majesties are on 
rtheir way here, and according to a pretty custom, 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


211 


the officers, of whatever service or country, who 
may be present, are going out. Half-way up the 
block they will take places on the outer edge of 
the throngs and salute the Emperor and the Em- 
press. Suppose I give my arm to Mrs. Darrin, 
and leave her with the Embassy party. Then I 
^vill return and go outside with you.^^ 

“You are very kind,^^ murmured Ensign Dave, 
and BeUe, smiling graciously, accepted Emery’s 
arm and was led away. 

Emery quickly came back, and led the way 
through the throng accompanied by Dave and 
Dan. Just outside of the house, however, Dave 
and Dan accidentally became separated from 
their superior officer. 

“Say, Davy,” murmured Dan, “suppose we go 
far up the street? I’ve always had huge respect 
for the Japanese, and most of all for their grand 
old line of Emperors. I’ve a notion that I’d like 
to be in the very first squad that salutes their 
Majesties this afternoon.” 

“I don’t see where there can be any harm in 
that. Your suggestion is based on deep respect,” 
smiled Darrin earnestly. “Lead on, Daniel!” 

So past the uniformed groups the two young 
ensigns plowed their way through the sidewalk 
crowds. At last they halted, aware that they 
would be at least fifty feet beyond the nearest 
group of other uniformed men. 


212 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


a great scene, isn't it, Danny?" breathed 
Ensign Darrin, his eyes flashing. . 

never saw anything like it in Gridley," 
Danny Grin confessed. 

^^Hush, old chap." 

Of a sudden the crowd took on motion. In the 
near distance a tumult of shouts of ^^Banzai ! Ban- 
zai! May their Majesties live and reign ten 
thousand years!" 

^^Get your face straight now, my boy!" whis- 
pered Dave, almost severely. “Don't offend the 
sensitive minds of the Japanese by the faintest 
suspicion of a smile. You’re on duty, now, in the 
uniform of your country, Danny boy!" 

“Thank you," replied Dalzell calmly. “I will 
not disgrace the United States any more than I 
can help." 

The imperial procession came into sight. In 
the military part of the pageant the two young 
ensigns from the flagship were not especially in- 
terested. 

At last, preceded by other carriages, came the 
carriage occupied by their Majesties, the Em- 
peror and Empress of Japan. 

As the carriage drew nearer the “banzais" 
ceased. The attitude of the Japanese on-lookers 
became more quietly reverential. As the carriage 
moved along its immediate neighborhood ob- 
served a devotional hush. 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


213 


So far has Japan moved along the roads of 
^^progress^’ that there are to-day in Japan many 
of the ^^soshi^^ — usually students and young 
clerks — who hold very ^'advanced’' opinions. Not 
all of the soshi are anarchists, but all of the Jap- 
anese anarchists, few in number, are first soshi. 

Once in a generation one or more of these 
soshi make an attempt upon the life of the em- 
peror. 

Spt! spt! sizz-zz! spt! 

Just before the imperial carriage reached the 
spot where Dave and Dan stood, both ensigns 
brought up their hands in the smartest military 
salute that they knew how to give. Then, so 
rapidly that it seemed part of the same move- 
ment, Darrin and Dalzell raised their caps in 
homage to the Empress. 

His Majesty, the Emperor, beheld that salute 
and cap-raising, and bent his head in gracious 
acknowledgment of the American tribute. Her 
Majesty, glancing at the opposite side of the 
street, did not see. 

Spt ! spt ! Sizz-zz ! 

Dave heard that strange, low noise. His mili- 
tary training made him start at the sound. Taller, 
by a head, than the Japanese in front of him, 
Darrin's swift eye caught sight of something that 
had escaped the other onlookers. 

Like a flash his cap came down on his head. 


214 


DAVE DARRIN 


‘^Quick, Dan!’’ he shouted. ^^Give me a leg 
up!” 

Though Dalzell had not the slightest notion of 
what it meant, he seized Darrin below the hips, 
raising him as though trying to boost him over 
a high wall. 

Over the heads of those in front of him plunged 
Dave Darrin. 

Down he came, grappling with a wild-eyed Jap- 
anese, who, crouching over, held something con- 
cealed. 

Spt! Sizz-zz! 

Doughty as any knight of old, Dave grappled 
unhesitatingly with that wretched soshi, who was 
trying to conceal the sputtering bomb prepara- 
tory to throwing it. 

^^No, you don’t!” shouted Ensign Dave Darrin. 
*That bomb shall hurt none but you and me!” 

Even before mention came of the word ‘^bomb,” 
Danny Grin was forcing his way through that 
crowd. 

How he got through he never afterwards knew. 

In the instant of the grapple Dave Darrin 
threw the soshi with one of the most effective and 
sudden tackles he had ever used with Gridley 
H. S. or Annapolis elevens. 

Down in a heap went Dave and the soshi, the 
sputtering bomb under both. 



“ That Bomb Shall Hurt None.’^ 
215 


216 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


CHAPTER XXI 

DANNY GRINDS DISCOVERY 

B ut if Darrin had reckoned on combat with 
one man only, he had reckoned without 
his host. 

Standing close to the scoundrel with the bomb 
were three other soshL The instant these real- 
ized Darrin’s attack they let knives slip down 
from their sleeves. 

With these in hand they sprang at Dave. 

But Dan caught the first one with a fist landed 
on the fellow’s jaw, and there was one soshi less 
in the game. 

By this time suspicion of what was going on 
had spread to the nearest of the bystanders. 

Many tried to press back, but the crowd was 
too dense. 

Frightened screams arose on the air as word 
flew through the crowd. To the honor of the 
Japanese populace, though, almost every native 
in the crowd was more concerned for their Ma- 
jesties’ than for his own life. 

Police heard, and understanding, charged 
through the crowd. Soldiers heard, and used 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


217 


their clubbed rifles in an effort to get through 
to the scene of disorder. 

Dalzell’s vigorous kick broke the nearer shin 
of the second knife-armed soshi, and sent him to 
earth, fainting. With a roar, Danny Grin grap- 
pled with the third soshi, receiving a thrust of the 
knife that, in its first passage, only inflicted a 
slash in Dalzelfls coat-sleeve. 

In the meantime Dave Darrin was fighting, for 
more than life, with the soshi underneath him — 
the feUow who held the bomb that was about to 
explode. 

Promptly employing all the fighting tricks he 
had ever known that would fit the present case, 
Dave suddenly jumped up, leaving his opponent 
unconscious. In the half-second before leaping 
to his feet Darrin had taken the sputtering, 
glowing fuse between finger and thumb. 

Though the performance burned and blistered 
his hand, Dave held doughtily on until he knew 
that the danger was past. 

‘Throw it other way from their Majesties’ car- 
riage,” implored all the beholding, yet helpless 
Japanese, who could speak English. 

“No need to now!” called Dave Darrin, stead- 
ily, holding up the bomb to show that the fuse 
no longer burned. 

In these few pulsing seconds the speed of the 
Emperor’s carriage had not been increased. 


218 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


Neither the ruler nor his consort looked about, 
but rode calmly on. 

‘^Good boy, you, Dave!’^ chuckled Danny Grin, 
now sitting on the form of the third of the soshi, 
whom he had tackled. 

In a few seconds more the police broke through, 
the crowd yielding as much as was possible. The 
soldiers, too, came through. 

Four soshi, two of them unconscious, and all 
of them hurt, were taken in charge by the police. 
A police official, shuddering, took possession of 
the now harmless bomb. 

The rest of the imperial cortege was still pass- 
ing, but the crowd, recovering from its daze, made 
a rush to take the four soshi and tear the wretches 
to pieces. The police and soldiers, however, were 
quick enough to head off this attempt, and the 
prisoners were marched away. 

^XeFs beat it out of here,’^ urged Dan. 

Both young American ensigns tried to mingle 
in the crowd and to get away unobserved, but a 
Japanese army officer, in the uniform of a general 
of division, came hurrying up to them, followed 
by members of his staff. 

‘Tardon, gentlemen, but you must not go yet,’’ 
pleaded the general, a man past forty. America 
has this day done Japan such an immense ser- 
vice that the government must know the names 
of such brave Americans.” 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


21Q 


There was no escape, for on three sides the 
crowd hemmed in the young ensigns, while the 
general and his staff were on the fourth. 

“Come,’' said the general, “it will not do for 
us to try to push our way through the throng. We 
must follow in the wake of the carriages.” 

He spoke in the most excellent English, and 
was wholly courteous, but the general’s air and 
tone were such as would not be denied. Dave and 
Dan went with him. 

There was no cheering from the crowd, but 
grateful remarks followed the American officers 
as they walked along with their conductor. 

Soldiers had gone ahead to make sure that the 
throng did not rush into the street after the cor- 
tege had passed, so that Dave, Dan and their con- 
ductor had no need to elbow their way through. 

“I am General Kagi,” said the Japanese. “I 
shall be deeply grateful if you will honor me with 
the names of two Americans who have this day 
done that which must win for them Japan’s un- 
dying gratitude.” 

So Dave introduced his chum and himself. 

By the time that General Kagi reached the 
entrance to the prime minister’s official residence 
the imperial pair and their suite had gone inside. 

Hushed, now, were the banzais. The populace 
was as still as though engaged at devotions. These 
ancestor-worshipping people were thanking theii; 


220 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


dead and gone ancestors for their help in protect- 
ing the lives of their Majesties. 

“Make way!” cried General Kagi. “Make way 
for the Americans who served us this day in de- 
tecting the unspeakable wretches who sought to 
plunge Japan into a century of gloom!” 

Silently the crowd pressed back, until every 
man, woman and child must have been aU but 
obliged to stop breathing. 

Smartly the soldiers at the entrance brought 
their guns to the position of “present arms” as 
General Kagi and his charges passed. 

“The honorable Americans! The glorious 
Americans!” were some of the grateful epithets 
Dave and Dan heard spoken in English by Jap- 
anese in the crowd. 

In the entrance corridor were few beside the 
military guards, all the throng of guests having 
pressed into the reception chamber, for already 
the news of the attempted assassination had gone 
through the crowd in whispers. 

General Kagi did not attempt to conduct Dave 
and Dan through this great pre'ss, but, instead, 
led them upstairs, through galleries, and then 
down a private staircase that brought them to an 
anteroom near the head of the great reception 
chamber. 

Like a faithful rear-guard. General Kagi^s staff, 
though keeping its distance, brought up the rear. 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


221 


Now, when General Kagi halted in the ante- 
room, each of these staff officers passed in turn 
before the two American ensigns, each bowing so 
low that it amounted almost to prostrating him- 
self on his face. Those who understood English 
tried to say something graceful in that tongue. 
Those who knew no English contented themselves 
with appropriate compliments in Japanese. 

Then General Kagi called an officer to him, 
gave him instructions in a low voice, and the offi- 
cer, saluting smartly, turned and went through a 
door that led to the reception hall. 

Fifteen minutes passed ere the officer, so dis- 
patched, returned. As soon as General Kagi had 
heard his report he turned to say in English : 

^^Gentlemen, since this is the occasion of a pub- 
lic reception by their Majesties, they desire to 
thank you in public for your splendid conduct 
this day.” 

^'What is expected of us?” Ensign Darrin in- 
quired. 

‘Tresently, when the word comes, I shall con- 
duct you, in fitting manner, before their Majes- 
ties in the reception hall. There you will receive 
the imperial thanks.” 

^Tt will be most embarrassing. General,” 
Dave answered, smiling but hesitant. 

Danny Grin didn't say anything — he couldn't 
— but he certainly looked very solemn. 


222 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


Ten more minutes passed. Then a smart- 
looking young staff officer entered, making some 
report to the General in Japanese. 

^^Gentlemen, their Majesties now have leisure, 
and command that you appear forthwith.’’ 

‘‘But I can’t,” suddenly wailed Danny Grin. 

“And why not?” inquired General Kagi. 

“I’m not fit to be seen,” Dalzell went on, with 
emphasis. “Look here, sir. I’ve just discovered 
that an anarchist knife slashed my coat-sleeve!” 


CHAPTER XXII 

MR. KATURA ON PAPER 

|3 UT that is a mark of honor!” protested 
General Kagi. 

“It’s against the American naval regula- 
tions,” declared Danny Grin with a mournful 
shake of his head. “No officer is permitted to 
appear in public in damaged clothing.” 

“I am certain that I speak for their Majesties 
when I say that they would not like to be the 
causes of your breaking the regulations govern- 
ing your country’s service,” murmured General 
Kagi. “But if it were not that it violated regula- 
tions of your service, I know that they would be 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


223 


delighted to look upon you with your sleeve dam- 
aged just as it was — in their service.’’ 

“It’s an embarrassing situation,” murmured 
Ensign DalzeU. 

But General Kagi’s courteous distress was so 
real that Dave felt obliged to jump into the 
breach with the remark : 

“The violation of that minor regulation, 
Danny, doesn’t involve your own honor or that 
of your country. Under the circumstances, I am 
very certain that our government would much 
rather have you violate the regulation you have 
mentioned, than to violate the express command 
given you by the Emperor and Empress of 
Japan.” 

“Ah, yes; it must be so,” cried General Kagi, 
delightedly. “So I do not feel that I am going 
beyond bounds in asking you to follow me at 
once, that their Majesties’ pleasure may be 
served.” 

Dan followed, but he found a chance to whis- 
per, rather savagely, in Darrin’s ear: 

“Traitor! My knees are knocking together at 
thought of facing that crowd. I had it just about 
fixed to escape, when you blocked me.” 

“I’m a bit tremulous myself,” Dave confessed, 
also in a whisper, “but I’m going through it as 
if it were a very special bit of duty.” 

Traversing a short corridor. General Kagi, after: 


224 


DAVE DAERIN ON 


turning to them with a kindly, warning look, 
opened a door that looked out upon the reception 
hall. 

And there, on a low dais, under a canopy, stood 
the imperial pair. 

At sight of General Kagi several resplendent 
officials came forward. Under this magnificent 
escort Ensigns Darrin and Dalzell were conducted 
straight before the dais. 

^When you halt, make a very low bow to the 
Emperor, and then to the Empress,’^ whispered an 
official. 

At the signal Dave and Dan made their bow 
— perhaps the lowest they had ever made — but 
they performed it with dignity. 

In less degree their Majesties bowed. 

Then, in the tense hush, the Emperor began to 
speak in his own tongue. At sound of the im- 
perial voice every Japanese in the room turned 
his eyes floorward. 

As soon as the voice ceased, an official began, 
translating into English, word for word, what his 
Majesty had said. It was a simple, graceful, 
poetic bit of oratory, but the gist of it was that 
his Majesty thanked the American officers for 
having so gallantly and fearlessly saved the life 
of the Empress. 

Then her Majesty said a few words, thanking 
Dave and Dan for having saved the life of the 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


225 


Emperor. This speech, also, was translated bv 
the same official. 

‘Ton may reply,’’ whispered the official. 

Making another very low bow. Ensign Darrin 
answered : 

‘T am grateful that I have been permitted to 
live long enough to be able to render some ser- 
vice to their Majesties, the Emperor and Em- 
press of Japan.” 

Dan’s face, fiery red, went to great pallor as he, 
in turn, made another low bow. 

As his head went forward he felt so '^rattled” 
that he had not the slightest idea of what he 
ought to say. The word ^^ditto” came to his 
mind, but he fought it off with concealed sav- 
agery. The certainty that he was going to make 
a fool of himself made him feel that he was 
swaying. 

But his head had now gone as low as he could 
make it go with dignity. He knew that he must 
say something. Then, his voice sounding far 
away, as though some one across the room were 
speaking, Dalzell heard himself say: 

'"Mine were but a pair of hands to assist my 
comrade. Neither of us was moved from within 
in the little that we were able to do. We were 
but the senseless tools of Providence, which could 
not see the virtues of their Majesties perish.” 

Though all Japanese eyes were still downcast, 

4 Dave Darrin on the Asiatic Statiori 


226 


DAVE DAERIN ON 


there was a flash of gratitude in every pair of 
them as Dan’s little speech was interpreted into 
Japanese. 

For with these people it is a tradition that the 
first ruler of Japan came direct from Heaven, 
and all Japanese successes are loyally attributed 
to the surpassing virtues of their Majesties. 

There was a little more color in Dalzell’s face 
as his head rose from the bow. Though he did 
not know it, he had made by far the better reply. 

Then his Majesty spoke briefly for the Em- 
press and himself, these words being translated 
into English and French for the benefit of the 
divers nationalities represented there. 

Just before this speech was made, Dave and 
Dan, at a sign, followed their conductors to the 
right of the dais. 

There they could stand and look out over the 
throng. Nearly all in the front ranks of the crowd 
were Japanese officers, who, after the imperial 
peril, had crowded forward as though for defense 
of their rulers. 

In the front rank stood Lieutenants Katura, 
Toruma and Hata. These three officers, being on 
duty, wore their swords, and each had his right 
hand in tight grip on the hilt. 

As soon as the Emperor’s speech had been in- 
terpreted the air rang with lusty ‘ffianzais,” in 
ivhich even the foreigners joined. When it was 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


227 


all over some one started a cheer, that also dinned 
uproariously. 

Katura gazed straight at the two young en- 
signs, with every evidence of newly awakened 
friendliness in his smile. 

Dan stood beside an Englishman, who non- 
chalantly toyed with a monocle. 

‘^Lend me that a moment, will you, old chap?’^ 
begged Dan. 

The Englishman promptly handed it over. 

“Thank you, very much,” murmured Ensign 
DalzeU. 

“Screwing up” his face, Dan managed to in- 
sert the monocle before his left eye. Through 
this lens he surveyed first Katura, then Toruma 
and Hata, with a blank stare, as though wonder- 
ing who these three smiling young gentlemen 
could possibly be. 

Nor was his action lost on the three young lieu- 
tenants. Turning very red, aU three looked as 
though they wished they might sink through the 
floor. Several Japanese ojficers witnessed Dan^s 
unobtrusive act, and they in turn smilingly re- 
garded the discomforted trio. 

Only for a few seconds did Dan keep the mon- 
ocle to his eye. Then, very quietly, he passed 
the glass back to the Englishman, murmuring: 

“Thanks very much, old chap. That was a 
huge relief.” . 


228 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


‘^Bless my soul!^' ejaculated the Englishman 
under his breath, for he had not the slightest idea 
of the meaning of that side scene. 

Soon after, their Majesties, preceded and fol- 
lowed by officials, turned and withdrew. Then 
Dave and Dan, through the throng, tried to make 
their way to young Mrs. Darrin. 

But their progress was slow. Hundreds of offi- 
cers and ladies surged about them trying to clasp 
their hands. 

In the crowd, close to Dave’s elbow, were soon 
Lieutenant Katura and his two friends, all look- 
ing very much abashed. 

^^How do you do, Katura?” asked Dave, in a 
low voice, offering his hand. 

But the little lieutenant, with a low bow, re- 
plied quietly: 

shall not presume to touch that hand until 
I have had opportunity to explain and apologize.” 

Then all three of the young Japanese lieuten- 
ants managed to vanish in the throng. 

At last Dave reached his young wife’s side. 
Belle looked at him with eyes filled with pride, 
presently turning to nod smilingly at Danny Grin. 

The reception was now ended, save for that 
other reception which the crowd insisted on giv- 
ing the young American ensigns. Older Ameri- 
can officers present looked on and wondered at 
the luck of some youngsters, but without envy. 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


229 


‘^You must have contrived that great spectacle 
for my benefit/' murmured Belle Darrin in her 
husband's ear. 

Dave smiled back at her, but Dan managed to 
whisper so that none outside the trio heard : 

‘^Mrs. Darrin, it was done before a moving 
picture camera. Just wait until Dave begins to 
draw his share of the royalties. What!" 

While Belle gloried in the enthusiasm which 
her husband's appearance provoked, it was a 
relief to both ensigns when their carriage came 
and took them away. 

By sitting well back, they avoided the recog- 
nition of the populace on the sidewalks, and so 
reached their hotel. 

In the lobby of the Imperial Hotel, however, 
Dave Darrin and his comrade-chum had to go 
through another noisy reception. Escaping as 
soon as they possibly could, all three hastened to 
the Darrin apartment, where Dave bolted the 
door. 

^Why did you offer your hand to Katura?" de- 
manded Dan, reproachfully. 

^^Because he's a fine fellow," Dave responded 
warmly. 

‘^He made you uncomfortable enough for a 
while," retorted Danny Grin. ^^Last night few 
people in this hotel would have anything to say 
to you." 


230 DAVE DAERIN ON 

All this was blurted out before Dave’s signals 
could stop him. 

‘Why, what is this all about?” demanded Belle 
Darrin, wonderingly, “I thought there was 
something wrong last night and this forenoon. 
What was it, Dave?” 

“Now, I’ve let the caf out of the bag!” mut- 
tered Dalzell, in deep disgust. “I’m going behind 
a door and kick myseK for an hour.” 

“It wasn’t so much, after aU,” Dave told BeUe. 
“As it happened, Katura challenged me to a duel, 
and I declined. Then all the Japanese officers 
who heard of it, and some of the Europeans, and 
a few civilians as well, tried to give me the cold 
shoulder.” 

“A duel?” cried Belle, aghast. “Why should he 
challenge you to fight a duel?” 

So Dave told her all he knew relating to the 
affair of the medallion and of Katura’s desire to 
fight his American brother in arms. 

“He should have known better than to believe 
that you would do anything dishonorable!” ut- 
tered Belle, indignantly. 

“I had never met Katura before yesterday 
forenoon,” Dave answered, “and the fact that the 
missing medallion was foimd in my possession 
would be in itself convincing to the average 
mind.” 

“Lieutenant Katura and his friends haven’t 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


231 


even average minds — they can’t have,” BeUe 
declared positively. 

^Tn that belief you undoubtedly wrong your- 
self more than the three lieutenants, my dear,” 
smiled Dave. ^The Japanese are a people not 
given to average minds. Average minds wouldn’t 
have carried this race, in half a century or so, all 
the way from feudalism to the vanguard of mod- 
ern civilization.” 

Dave, his wife and friend were at dinner when 
a sealed envelope was handed him. 

Apologizing, Dave broke the seal. Then he 
read aloud to his wife and chum this brief note 
over Katura’s signature: 

^^That I did you a deep wrong, and an unneces- 
sary one, I am now convinced. I shall not crave 
your pardon until I am able to do more. I trust 
you will not find it necessary to leave Tokio be- 
fore I have the honor of seeing you. All I can now 
say is that I am investigating.” 

‘What under the sun can he be engaged in in- 
vestigating?” demanded Dan. 

“That’s more than I can tell you, or even guess 
at,” smiled Dave, as he returned the note to its 
envelope and then thrust both into an inside 
pocket. 

“Maybe he’s investigating, Dave,” suggested 
Danny Grin, “to find out whether you really did 
serve the Emperor in any way this afternoon.. 


232 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


For my part, I^d really enjoy telling Katura and 
his gang what I think of them/’ 

^Then I trust you will get over that desire, 
chum,” replied Dave, gravely. am certain 
that Katura is a gentleman, and that he will 
prove the fact, even to your satisfaction.” 

don’t like that word, 'investigating,’ ” Dal- 
zell objected. "What does the fellow imagine he 
is investigating, anyway?” 

"He must be trying to get at the bottom of 
the real solution of the medallion mystery,” Belle 
suggested. "He may already have a clue, and he 
may know that he’ll be able to follow it to the 
end.” 

"Then I wish Katura all success,” Dave de- 
clared, warmly. "I, too, would like to know the 
inside of the medallion mystery.” 


;THE ASIATIC STATION 


233 


CHAPTER XXIII 

TORUMA HAS A LOT TO TELL 

T hat evening Belle wanted to visit some 
Japanese art stores. Dave accompanied 
her, of course. 

In the first store that they entered Ensign Dar- 
rin, though again in mufti (civilian dress) was 
speedily recognized. A ^^banzaing” crowd formed. 

It was with difficulty that the Darrins made 
their escape from their well-meaning Japanese 
friends. 

‘^Back to the hotel, please,’’ begged Belle. 
‘We can’t endure a night of enthusiastic crowds.” 

So back they went. The next morning, when 
they sallied forth, it was the same. Modesty 
drove them back to the hotel. 

“Sometimes it’s most embarrassing to be popu- 
lar,” Belle told Dan smilingly, at table. 

“We shall have to try spending the rest of my 
leave in some other part of Japan, I fear,” an- 
swered Dave. 

“Then how about Katura’s explanation?” 
Danny Grin wanted to know. 

“I’d really like to wait and hear that,” Darrin 


234 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


replied, Katura’s appreciative fellow-subjects 
don’t ‘banzai’ and hand-shake us out of Tokio. 
This sort of thing may easily become more nerve- 
racking than service in the big European war.” 

At that moment a waiter approached and laid 
a card beside Dave’s plate. 

“It’s Toruma,” said Darrin, looking up. 

“Let me go and see him,” begged Dan. 

“You won’t attempt to give him any piece of 
your mind, will you?” asked Dave, almost sus- 
piciously. 

“I shall endeavor to conduct myself like a gen- 
tleman, if that’s what you mean,” DalzeU replied 
with dignity. 

“Of course you wiU, old chum. I beg your 
pardon.” 

“Shall I trot out then, and negotiate with 
Toruma?” asked DalzeU, rising and picking up 
the card. 

“If you wiU be so good.” 

Within two minutes Dan was back. 

“Toruma seems fairly bubbling over with 
something,” he reported. “I invited him to join 
us here at luncheon, but Toruma begged to be 
excused. He has an earful of news to spiU, so I 
made an appointment for him to join us in your 
apartments as soon as we have finished luncheon. 
Will that be satisfactory?” 

“WhoUy,” nodded Dave. 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


235 


‘^Then 111 finish up these cold chops/^ proposed 
DalzeU, seating himself again. ''After I’ve forti- 
fied myself with enough food I shall be equal to 
meeting any jolt that Toruma may try to pass 
up over the side.” 

Luncheon over, Dave escorted Belle to their 
apartments, while Dan went off to find Toruma. 
Two minutes later Dan, after knocking, entered 
with the Japanese officer. 

Greetings were exchanged, and Dave intro- 
duced the caller to Mrs. Darrin. 

"I have come,” explained the Japanese, "to 
pave the way for my very excellent but also very 
humble friend.” 

"Mr. Katura?” asked Darrin. 

"Yes.” 

"You were here on his behalf the day before 
yesterday,” laughed Ensign Dave, "but we will 
let bygones be bygones.” 

"Mr. Katura’s regrettable challenge,” Toruma 
went on, appearing much embarrassed, "grew out 
of the affair of the medallion.” 

"Under the circumstances,” smiled Darrin, "I 
don’t much blame him for suspecting me of 
stealing it.” 

Lieutenant Toruma gazed at his host in wide- 
eyed astonishment. 

"Katura had no suspicion, for a moment,” he 
stammered, "that you stole the medallion.” 


236 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


^‘Then what did he think Dave questioned, 
friend had reason to believe that you took 
the medallion from his pocket/^ Toruma con- 
fessed, reddening, ^^but it was his belief that you 
did it by way of a joke.’^ 

^^And Katura did not relish that kind of a 
joke, eh?’’ asked Danny Grin, gravely. 

^^He thought it an inconsiderate joke.” Toruma 
explained, seeming, of a sudden, to have some 
difficulty in finding the right English words. 
‘‘That medallion — was — er — the property of 
Katura’s mother. You understand?” 

“Quite,” Dave agreed. 

“And Katura’s mother, had she — er — heard 
that the very old medallion was missing, would 
have been filled with grief. You — er — er — 
follow me?” 

“Yes,” Darrin nodded. 

“We Japanese are trained to feel great respect 
for our parents,” Toruma went on. “When my 
friend Katura think — thought — that you would 
play joke so inconsiderate — one that might 
cause to his mother so much sudden and deep 
grief, then Katura — ” 

“Katura saw red?” suggested Dalzell. 

“Yes; that is what I would say,” Toruma 
nodded. “Thank you much. So Katura, feeling 
that, through him, you would put insult upon his 
mother, he became very red — that is to say, saw; 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


237 


very red. He spoke to Hata and myself, and we 
agreed that he had red very right. That is to 
say — I mean — we believed that our friend Ka- 
tura had very good right to be angry, and to de- 
mand satisfaction for what he considered as 
slighting to his mother's comfort. Do I make 
myself plain enough?" 

‘^You do," Darrin nodded. 

'^So — well, then — Hata and I disgraced our- 
selves by bringing to you what we now know 
was a very wicked and senseless challenge." 

^Which I declined," Dave took up the thread 
for a moment. '^You chose to construe that as 
cowardice on my part, and soon people began to 
turn their backs on me. Did you pass around 
word as to my cowardice, Mr. Toruma?" 

^‘We were guilty," replied the Japanese lieu- 
tenant, flushing deeply, ‘^though not in the way 
that perhaps you think. We were very angry, 
and at the Japanese Military Club we told some 
of our brother officers of Ensign Darrin's refusal 
to fight Lieutenant Katura. Naturally, all who 
heard regarded it as proof of Ensign Darrin's 
lack of courage. But Mr. Darrin's wonderful con- 
duct yesterday in throwing himself over a bomb, 
in order to save their Majesties' lives, would make 
a liar of any man who denied Mr. Darrin's cour- 
age." 

‘Thank you," said Dave. “But in a note to 


238 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


me, received last night, Mr. Katura spoke of do- 
ing some ^investigating.’ ” 

am coming to that at once,” bowed Toruma. 
‘^Katura saw that he was very foolish in thinking 
you a coward. Then he felt certain that he had 
been deceived by a young American.” 

^‘A young American?” Dave repeated, his iu- 
terest deepening. 

‘^Yes; a man who came up to our party in the 
Okugawa Bank, after Katura had discovered the 
loss of the medallion. That young man was at 
the club day before yesterday. We remembered 
having seen him there. Now, he told us” — Tor- 
uma leaned forward very impressively — ‘‘that 
he saw you slip your hand in Katura’s pocket and 
take out a lacquer box!” 

“Then I’d like to meet that young American 
face to face,” cried Darrm, leaping to his feet, 
“for he is a liar and his lie did me deep injury.” 

“That was what Katura meant by ‘investigat- 
ing,’ ” replied Toruma. “We all three set out to 
find that young man, and we asked the aid of the 
secret police of Tokio. Late last night we came 
upon that young man, and this morning we 
traced him — trailed him, I mean — to the house 
where he lives. His name is Simmons.” 

“Pembroke is an American rogue, but masquer- 
aded for a while as an Englishman,” Dave sug- 
gested. “Now, could it be possible that the fel- 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


239 


low calling himself Simmons is really a German, 
and that the precious pair of adventurers are 
really spies in the employ of Germany? That 
would be a queer state of things, but it doesn’t 
seem altogether unlikely. And then they might 
have hoped that drawing me into a duel with a 
Japanese ofl&cer would make bad feeling between 
Japan and the United States and possibly led up 
to something more serious.” 

‘^You may rest assured that there is not even 
one German in our country to-day,” replied the 
little brown ofl&cer, with a smile. “That is, no 
Germans except those who are here under the 
i:estraint that is imposed upon prisoners of war. 
No, no! The feUow is reaUy an American. We 
know that, though the only name by which we 
know him is that of Simmons.” 

“I know no one of that name,” replied Dave, 
shaking his head. 

“Oh, well,” smiled Lieutenant Toruma, “per- 
haps not. Maybe he has not had the name of 
Simmons very long. He is what you call crook — 
rogue. I cannot understand how he secured ad- 
mittance to any club. He is a wicked fellow.” 

“But why should Simmons, if that is his right 
name, want to lie about me?” Darrin demanded. 

“It took some time to find that out,” Lieuten- 
ant Toruma continued. “But our police are very 
persistent, and, I might say, quite clever. And 


240 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


they put pressure upon the rogue, Simmons. 
Something like what you in your country call 
^the third degree,^ though maybe a little different. 
Before we were through Simmons and his friend 
were quite willing to talk/^ 

^^Simmons’s friend?'^ repeated Dave. 

“Yes of course another rogue. In Manila and 
China this second rogue sometimes called him- 
self Pembroke.’^ 

Dave started. 

“Pembroke is not a well man, and is mostly in 
bed,^^ continued Toruma. “In China something 
happened between you and Pembroke — you 
know that?^^ 

“Yes,’’ Darrin nodded. “And Pembroke was 
wounded, and taken a prisoner aboard the ‘Cas- 
toga.’ I was transferred to the flagship right 
after that. But Pembroke, I imagine, was put 
ashore at some other point in China.” 

“Yes,” nodded Toruma. “He was very ill, and 
an English or American doctor told him he must 
come to Japan for change of air. It was in Yoko- 
hama that Pembroke found Simmons. The 
rogues have worked together before this, and 
have made much money together, but have lost 
it nearly as fast as they got it. Pembroke, when 
on the gunboat, thought he would die, and so he 
made a confession to you. When he found you 
were ashore in Japan he coaxed Simmons to do 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


241 


something to yon by way of revenge. Pembroke 
calls you his enemy. So Simmons found you, and 
watched you, and waited for his chance. He saw 
his chance in the medallion. It was Simmons who 
stole the medallion from Katura's pocket, and he 
lied to Katura, and then came to this hotel. Sim- 
mons is a very bad feUow. He had in his pock- 
ets many kinds of keys for opening doors. In 
this apartment he left a package and letter, and 
then went out, locking the door behind him. 
When Mrs. Darrin left the apartment a little 
later, Simmons once more used his wicked keys, 
came in and took the letter, but left the medallion 
here.’’ 

“If Simmons is a rascal, why didn’t he make a 
lot of money by keeping and afterward selling 
the medallion?” Belle now asked. 

“He could not sell it in Japan, for word would 
go through the Empire,” Toruma answered. 
“Had Simmons offered it for sale anywhere in 
Japan, he would have been arrested at once. Out- 
side of Japan he could not sell it for much, for its 
value would not be so well known. No; the 
rogue Simmons was satisfied if only he could 
please his revengeful friend, Pembroke.” 

“You say that Pembroke is sick, so I can’t 
strike him,” Dave muttered, “but I must find 
Simmons and kick him as he deserves.” 

“That would not be permitted,” smiled Tor- 

16 4 Dave Darrin on the Asiatic Station'. 


242 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


uma. ‘^No prisoner may be kicked in Japan, and 
the police have both Simmons and Pembroke in 
their custody. The two men have done criminal 
acts in Japan, and you will be plentifully re- 
venged, for both rogues will be locked up for 
many years to come. If it is whispered to the 
judge that Simmons and Pembroke were enemies 
of the American officers who saved the lives of 
their Majesties yesterday, it is very possible that 
the judge will sentence the pair of rogues to serve 
even more years in prison. Maybe the judge 
will ; I cannot say. Now, let me ask you, have I 
made my story plain? May Mr. Katura come 
here and make apologies?^’ 

‘T shall be heartily glad to see Mr. Katura at 
any time,” Dave replied earnestly, ‘'but as a 
special favor I shall ask that he make no mention 
of the word 'apology.' Why can't Katura, Hata 
and yourself dine here with us this evening?” 

"Thank you, very much!” cried Toruma, grip- 
ping Dave's hand. "On behalf of both friends I 
accept your invitation.” 

For which reason, that evening, the Darrins 
had a special table in the great dining room of 
the Imperial Hotel, and three very spruce- 
looking young officers of the Emperor were the 
guests of honor. 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


243 


CHAPTER XXIV 

CONCLUSION 

T WO days later Dave received this wire from 
the executive officer of the ^^Katahdin’^ : 
^^Admiral desires that you report aboard 
to-day if possible with Dalzell. Not for duty. 
Your leave will be extended one day on account 
of your coming aboard to-day.^^ 

‘^Belle, would you like to go back to Yokohama 
for the day, and try your luck in the stores 
there Dave inquired. 

want to go anywhere where you go,” the 
yoxmg wife replied. ^Dur time together is grow- 
ing short now. If you are headed for Yokohama, 
then you will need two tickets. You haven’t been 
ordered back to duty, have you?” 

For answer Darrin held out the telegram. 

‘Df course you will have to go,” she said. 
^^And, anyway, your leave is to be extended one 
day, so you won’t have to say good-bye to me just 
yet.” 

Dan was found, and the three young people 
set off in ’rikishas for the station. Two hours 
afterward the two yoimg ensigns went up the 


244 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


gangway of the flagship and reported to the offi- 
cer of the deck. 

‘Ton are directed to put on your uniforms and 
then send in your cards to the Admiral/' in- 
structed the watch officer. 

Not very long afterward the Admiral received 
his young officers. As they entered his office the 
old sea-dog gripped both firmly by the hand. 

^‘Gentlemen/' he said, ^^since you must get into 
more adventures, and add distinction to your 
records, I am glad that you did so while serving 
on my flagship. The news of your exploit in pre- 
venting the assassination of the Emperor and 
Empress of Japan has been duly cabled to the 
United States newspapers. Incidentally, I found 
that the thing really happened, so I cabled the 
facts to the Navy Department. See here!” 

Turning and picking up a sheet that lay on 
his desk, the Admiral read this despatch, signed 
by the Secretary of the Navy: 

^The President directs that you extend to En- 
signs Darrin and Dalzell his warmest thanks and 
commendation for their splendid conduct in pre- 
venting the assault upon the Emperor and Em- 
press of Japan. At appropriate time you will 
publicly commend these officers in orders.” 

‘T was afraid that we couldn't get away from a 
lot of talk, sir,” sighed Dan. ^^Not that I had very 
much to do with it, but any fellow who travels 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


245 


around with Mr. Darrin is sure to get into a lot of 
queer scrapes.’’ 

‘Trom the account that I have heard, Mr. Dal- 
zell,” returned the Admiral, speaking almost se- 
verely, ‘'you played fully as daring and important 
a part as did Mr. Darrin. But I haven’t yet got 
through with your troubles.” 

The fleet commander picked up another cable- 
gram, glanced at it, and then began : 

“Ever since you flrst joined a ship. Ensigns 
Darrin and Dalzell, your conduct and perfor- 
mances have attracted the favorable notice of the 
Navy Department. Some time ago you took, 
successfully, the required examinations for pro- 
motion to the grade of lieutenant, junior grade. 
This cablegram requires me to notify you that 
the President has nominated each of you to be a 
lieutenant, junior grade. If you notify me of 
your acceptance of the commissions, they will be 
duly forwarded to you, and your new grades will 
date from the moment of your accepting.” 

“I accept a lieutenant’s commission, sir,” re- 
plied Danny Grin, solemnly. “I’m not even going 
to think it over. I gladly accept, sir, on the spot.” 

“And so do I, sir,” Dave Darrin replied. 

“It’s very unusual to have a promotion de- 
clined,” smiled the Admiral. “Still, as a matter 
of form, as you understand, an officer must accept 
any new commission offered him before it can 


246 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


take effect. When you go to your quarters you 
will write your acceptances in due form, and 
send them to me through the regular channels. 
Gentlemen, I was never more pleased to an- 
nounce promotions than in your cases. Ever 
since you entered the service your records have 
been of the best. I congratulate you — and I 
congratulate the United States and the Navy on 
having two such splendid young officers. That is 
all, at present, Lieutenant Darrin. That is all, 
Lieutenant Dalzell.’^ 

Neither young officer had ever saluted a su- 
perior officer more smartly than the two young 
officers did at that moment. 

Dave had no sooner gained his own quarters 
than he heard a big racket next door. 

‘What on earth are you doing, Danny boy?^^ 
demanded Dave, peering into his friend’s quar- 
ters. 

“I’m overhauling all my dunnage, and getting 
my uniforms out, so that I can send them to the 
ship’s tailor to have the lieutenant’s insignia 
sewed on immediately,” replied Dan. “And you 
had better hustle some in that direction your- 
self.” 

“I’m going to write my acceptance of the com- 
mission before I bother about the insignia,” 
smiled Dave. 

“Now, I don’t know but that is a mighty good 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


247 


idea,” remarked Danny Grin, pursing up his 
mouth. ^The commission doesn’t take effect un- 
til the acceptance has been sent in. This is right 
where I take my fountain pen in hand to write 
that little letter!” 

In the early afternoon Dave went ashore to 
meet his wife, Dan remaining on board. 

Belle, of course, was overjoyed with the news 
of her husband’s promotion, and almost as much 
so with the President’s commendation and thanks. 

'Tf your supply of adventures doesn’t run out, 
Dave, dear,” she remarked, teasingly, ^^you ought 
to be an Admiral by the time you’re thirty years 
old.” 

‘Dnly seeing would be believing,” quoth Lieu- 
tenant Darrin. 

There was yet, however, one more surprise in 
store. That came a few days later, when the Ad- 
miral again sent for Darrin and Dalzell, this time 
to inform them that the Emperor had bestowed 
upon them the decoration, second class, of the 
Order of the Rising Sun. 

As Navy officers may not, without the consent 
of Congress, accept decorations from foreign 
states or rulers, a few weeks passed before the 
necessary sanction of that body was secured. 
Then, in due time, the two decorations were for- 
warded, with appropriate letters signed by the 
Prime Minister of Japan. 


248 


DAVE DAERIN ON 


One day Dave asked Lieutenant Toruma what 
had become of Simmons and Pembroke. 

“They will not soon trouble you again,” replied 
the Japanese officer, smiling. “Both are in the 
hands of the police, and presently they will be 
sent to prison.” 

This was exactly what happened a little later. 

The soshi whom Darrin had balked, were tried, 
convicted and executed. 

Some time afterward Dave and Dan heard that 
Bishop Whitlock and his band of missionaries 
had gone back to Nu-ping, taking the American 
residents with them. 

At about that time a new governor was ap- 
pointed for the province, since when the lights 
of Americans have been very vigorously respected 
at Nu-ping. “Burnt-face” and Sin Foo retired 
with the old governor and the following spring 
“Burnt-face” had the bad luck to die in a cholera 
plague. 

Word came, also, that Miss Chapin had been 
wedded to her missionary lover, and both are 
still at Nu-ping. 

As it so happened, Dave and Dan’s leave, ex- 
tended by one day, lasted up to the time when 
the flagship sailed from Yokohama. A special 
mission took her away under sealed orders. 

The last two hours before the time came for 
Dave to leave. Belle Darrin looked sad, indeed. 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


249 


Dan Dalzell was within reach, pacing up and 
down on the grounds of the hotel. 

‘'Sealed orders,” repeated Belle Darrin. “The 
two words never bring any comfort to me. I 
cannot look forward with any certainty to the 
time when I shall see you again.” 

“Within a very few days you will probably 
have a cable from me,” Dave answered, speaking 
as cheerily as he could. 

“Perhaps I shall not see you for weeks,” Belle 
answered. “Terrifying thought! It may be 
months before I see you!” 

“IPs all in the life of those who go down to the 
sea in their country's ships,” Dave replied. 

“And, bad as it is in some respects, I wouldn't 
change that life for any other,” Belle answered 
warmly. “But, Dave, dear, how long do you sup- 
pose it will be before you are ordered to shore 
duty for a year or two?” 

“Goodness only knows,” sighed Dave Darrin. 
“One of these days, of course, and, as every officer 
must do shore duty once in so often, it will prob- 
ably happen several times before I am retired.” 

“And you won’t be retired until you have 
served as an Admiral,” Belle went on, full of 
simple faith in her husband’s prospects. 

Thus they chatted, on and on, keeping their 
faces as bright as possible, yet with their hearts 
growing heavier as the minutes slipped by. 


250 


DAVE DARRIN ON 


never felt so mean about butting in in all 
my life/’ called Danny Grin, now in the near 
distance, ^'but the recall pennant has gone up, 
and I see the officers’ launch coming in.” 

^The time has come, little girl!” cried Dave, 
rising and placing both arms around her. ‘^De- 
pend upon hearing from me soon, and be sure 
that I shall ask you to join me at the first point 
where you may properly visit me. We may be 
together again in a few days.” 

Danny Grin was strolling slowly down to the 
harbor, having just said his farewell to young 
Mrs. Darrin. Dalzell was trying to look quite un- 
concerned about such trivial things as partings, 
but there was a mist very plainly in his eyes. 

A few more caresses. ^‘Good-bye for a little 
while, little girl!” said Dave chokingly, and 
broke away, almost racing after Dan. 

Belle, bright-eyed and a little pale, stood by 
one of the pillars of the hotel porch, watching, 
watching. 

She saw the launch make its landing at the 
sea-wall; saw Dave and Dan step aboard, then 
waved her handkerchief fiutteringly when Dave 
turned and waved his hat. 

After that there were many wavings, until the 
launch started. 

The wife watched the little craft as it plowed 
its way across the sapphire waters of Yokohama 


THE ASIATIC STATION 


251 


Bay. She saw the craft go alongside the flag- 
ship, saw the figures go up over the side. 

At the top of the gangway Dave’s figure halted 
an instant. His keen eyes made out, indistinctly, 
the little figure in blue leaning against the porch 
pillar on shore. Thrice, with a wide, sweeping 
motion, he waved his hat around his head. 

BeUe Darrin thought she saw something of the 
sort. Anyway, she fluttered her handkerchief. 
Then, her eyes filling, she turned and went 
rapidly inside, seeking her lonely room. 

When did Belle see Dave again, and what were 
the next adventures of Lieutenants Darrin and 
Dalzell? In war time or in peace time? In 
Europe, or in what other part of the world? 

All this we shall hope to answer satisfactorily 
in another volume, that will be published, in the 
near future, under the title of ^^Dave Darrin and 
the German Submarines, or Making a Clean-up of 
the Hun Sea Monsters.” 


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COLLEGE. 

3 GRACE MARLOWE’S TMIRD YEAR AT OVERTON 

COLLEGE. 

4 GRACE MARLOWE’S FOURTM YEAR AT OVERTON 

COLLEGE. 

5 GRACE MARLOWE’S RETURN TO OVERTON CAM- 

PUS. 

6 GRACE MARLOWE’S PROBLEM. 

7 GRACE MARLOWE’S GOLDEN SUMMER. 


All these books are bound in Cloth and will be sent post- 
paid on receipt of only 75 cents each. 


Fony Rider Boys Series 

By FRANK GEE PATCHIN 

Tliese tales may be aptly described the best books for boys and girls. 

ITHE PONY RIDER BOYS IN THE ROCKIES; Or, The Secret of the 
Lost Claim.— 2 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN TEXAS; Or, The 
Veiled Riddle of the Plains.— 3 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN i 
MONTANA; Or, The Mystery of the Old Custer Trail . — i THE 
PONY RIDER BOYS IN THE OZARKS; Or, The Secret of Ruby ] 
MounUin.— 6 THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN THE ALKALI; Or, 
Finding a Key to the Desert Maze.— 6 THE PONY RIDER BOYS 
IN NEW MEXICO; Or, The End of the Silver Trail.— 7 THE PONY i 
EIDER BOYS IN THE GRAND CANYON; Or, The Mystery of ' 
Bright Angel Quloh. 

Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 75c. 


The Boys of Steel Series 

By JAMES R. MEARS 

Bach book presaats vivid picture of this great industry. Each story 
is full ef adventure and fascination. 

iTHE IRON BOYS IN THE MINES; Or, Starting at the Bottom of 
the Shaft.— 2 THE IRON BOYS AS FOREMEN; Or, Heading the 
Diamond Drill Shift.— 3 THE IRON BOYS ON THE ORB BOATS; 
Or, Roughing It on the Great Lakes . — i THE IRON BOYS IN THE 
STEEL MILLS; Or, Beginning Anew in the Cinder Pita 

Cloth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 75c. 


The Madge Morton Books 

By AMY D. V. CHALMERS 

1 MADGE MORTON— CAPTAIN OP THE MERRY MAID. 

2 MADGE MORTON’S SECRET. 

3 MADGE MORTON’S TRUST. 

4 MADGE MORTON’S VICTORY. 

Cloth, Illustrated 


Price, per Volume, 75c, 


W est Point Series 

By H. IRVING HANCOCK 

The principal characters in these narratives are manly, young 
Americans whose doings will inspire all boy readers. 

1 DICK PRESCOTT’S FIRST YEAR AT WEST, POINT; Or, 

Two Chums in the Cadet Gray. 

2 DICK PRESCOTT’S SECOND YEAR AT WEST POINT ; Or, 

Finding the Glory of the Soldier’s Life. 

3 DICK PRESCOTT’S THIRD YEAR AT WEST POINT; Or, 

Standing Firm for Flag and Honor. 

4 DICK PRESCOTT’S FOURTH YEAR AT WEST POINT ; Or. 

Ready to Drop the Gray for Shoulder Straps. 

Qoth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 75c. 


Annapolis Series 

By H. IRVING HANCOCK 

The Spirit of the new Navy is delightfully and truthfully depicted 
in these volumes. 

1 DAVE DARRIN’S FIRST YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS ; Or, Two 

Plebe Midshipmen at the U. S. Naval Academy. 

2 DAVE DARRIN’S SECOND YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS; Or. 

Two Midshipmen as Naval Academy “Youngsters.” 

3 DAVE DARRIN’S THIRD YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS ; Or, Lead- 

ers of the Second Class Midshipmen. 

4 DAVE DARRIN’S FOURTH YEAR AT ANNAPOLIS; Or, 

Headed for Graduation and the Big Cruise. 

Qoth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 75e. 


Ifhe Young Engineers Series 

f By H. IRVING HANCOCK 

The heroes of diese stories are known to readers of the High 
School Boys Series. In this new series Tom Reade and Harry 
Hazelton prove worthy of all the traditions of Dick & Co. 

1 THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN COLORADO ; Or, At Railroad 

Building in Earnest. 

2 THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN ARIZONA ; Or, Laying Tracks 

on the “Man-Killer” Quicksand. 

3 THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN NEVADA; Or, Seeking For- 

tune on the Turn of a Pick. 

4 THE YOUNG ENGINEERS IN MEXICO; Or, Fighting the 

Mine Swindlers. 

Qoth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 75c. 


Boys of the Army Series 

By H. IRVING HANCOCK 

These books breathe the life and spirit of the United States 
Army of to-day, and the life, just as it is, is described by a mas- 
ter pen* 

1 UNCLE SAM’S BOYS IN THE RANKS ; Or, Two Recruits 

in the' United States Army. 

2 UNCLE SAM’S BOYS ON FIELD DUTY; Or, Winning 

Corporal’s Chevrons. 

3 UNCLE SAM’S BOYS AS SERGEANTS; Or, Handling 

Their First Real Commands. 

4 UNCLE SAM’S BOYS IN THE PHILIPPINES ; Or, Fol- 

lowing the Flag Against the Moros. 

6 UNCLE SAM’S BOYS AS LIEUTENANTS; Or, Serving 

Old Glory as Line Officers. 

7 UNCLE SAM’S BOYS WITH PERSHING; Or, Dick Pres- 

cott at Grips with the Boche. 

8 UNCLE SAM'S BOYS SMASH THE GERMANS; Or, Wind- 

ing Up the Great War. 


Dave Darrin Series 

\ By H. IRVING HANCOCK 

1 DAVE DARRIN AT VERA CRUZ; Or, Fighting With the 

U. S. Navy in Mexico. 

2 DAVE DARRIN ON MEDITERRANEAN SERVICE. 

3 DAVE DARRIN’S SOUTH AMERICAN CRUISE. 

4 DAVE DARRIN ON THE ASIATIC STATION. 

5 DAVE DARRIN AND THE GERMAN SUBMARINES. 

6 DAVE DARRIN AFTER THE MINE LAYERS; Or, Hit- 

ting the Enemy a Hard Naval Blow. 


The Meadow-Brook Girls Series 

By JANET ALDRIDGE 

1 THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS UNDER CANVAS. 

2 THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS ACROSS COUNTRY. 

3 THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS AFLOAT. 

4 THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS IN THE HILLS. 

5 THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS BY THE SEA. 

6 THE MEADOW-BROOK GIRLS ON THE TENNIS 

COURTS. 


All these books are bound in Cloth and will be sent post- 
paid on receipt of only 75 cents each. 


N / 

High School Boys Series 


By H. IRVING HANCOCK 

In this series of bright, crisp books a new note has been struck. 
Boys of every age under sixty will be interested in these fascinat- 
ing volumes. 

1 . THE HIGH SCHOOi: FRESHMEN; Or, Dick & Co.’s First 
Year Pranks and Sports. 

a THE HIGH SCHOOL PITCHER; Or, Dick & Co. on the 
Gridley Diamond. 

3 THE HIGH SCHOOL LEFT END; Or, Dick & Co. Grilling on 

the Football Gridiron. 

4 THE HIGH SCHOOL CAPTAIN OF THE TEAM; Or, Dick & 

Co. Leading the Athletic Y anguard. 




.Ooth, Illustrated 


Price, per yolume, 75c. 


f Grammar School Boys Series 


By H. IRVING HANCOCK 

This series of stories, based on the actual doings of grammar 
school boys, comes near to the heart of the average American boy. 

* THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS OF GRIDLEY; Or, Dick * 
& Co. Start Things Moving. 

2 THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS SNOWBOUND; Or, Dick 

& Co. at Winter Sports. 

3 THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS IN THE WOODS; Or, 

Dick & Co. Trail Fun and Knowledge. 

4 THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS IN SUMMER ATHLETICS ; 

Or, Dick & Co. Make Their Fame Secure. 

Ooth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 75c. 

H igh School Boys’ V acation Series 

By H. IRVING HANCOCK 

“Give us more Dick Prescott books !” 

This has been the burden of the cry from young readers of the 
country over. Almost numberless letters have been received by the 
publishers, making this eager demand ; for Dick Prescott, Dave Dar- 
rin, Tom Reade, and the other members of Dick & Co. are the most 
popular high school boys in the land. Boys will alternately thrill 
and chuckle when reading these splendid narratives. 

1 THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS’ CANOE CLUB; Or, Dick & Co.’s 

Rivals on Lake Pleasant. 

2 THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS IN SUMMER CAMP; Or, The 

Dick Prescott Six Training for the Gridley Eleven. 

3 THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS’ FISHING TRIP; Or, Dick & Co. 

in the Wilderness. 

4 THE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS’ TRAINING HIKE; Or, Dick & 

Co. Making Themselves “Hard as Nails." 

Qoth, Illustrated Pricey per yolume, 75c. 


The Circus Boys Series 

By EDGAR B. P. DARLINGTON 

Mf. Darlington’s books brep the forth every phase of an intensely 
interesting and exciting life. 

1 THE CIRCUS BOYS ON THE FLYINC RINGS; Or, Making 

the Start in the Sawdust Life. 

2 THE .CIRCUS BOYS ACROSS THE C 

ning New Laurels on the Tanbark. 

3 THE CIRCUS BOYS IN DIXIE LJ 

Plaudits of the Sunny South, 

4 THE CIRCUS BOYS ON THE MISSISb* p 

the Big Show on the Big River, , ; , 

Qoth, Illustrated Price, pe. e, 




Win. 

the 

itU 


The High School Girls Series 

By JESSIE GRAHAM FLOWER, A. M. 

These breezy stories of the American High School Girl take the 
reader fairly by storm. 

1 GRACE HARLOWE’S PLEBE YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL; 

Or, The Merry Doings of the Oakdale Freshman Girls. 

2 GRACE HARLOWE’S SOPHOMORE YEAR AT PUGH 

SCHOOL; Or, The Record of the Girl Chums in Work and 
Athletics. 

3 GRACE HARLOWE’S JUNIOR YEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL; 

Or, Fast Friends in the Sororities. 

4 GRACE HARLOWE’S SENIOR lYEAR AT HIGH SCHOOL; 

Or, The Parting of the Ways. 

Qoth, Illustrated Price, per Volume, 75c. 


The Automobile Girls Series 

By LAURA DENT CRANE 

No girl’s library — no family book-case can be considered at all 
complete unless it contains these sparkling twentieth-century books. 
1 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS AT NEWPORT; Or, Watching the Sum- 
mer Parade.— 2 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS IN THE BERKSHIRES; 
Or, The Ghost of Lost Man’s TraiL— 3 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS 
ALONG THE HUDSON; Or, Fighting Fire in Sleepy Hollow. — 
4 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS AT CHICAGO; Or, Winning Out 
Against Heavy Odds.— 5 THE AUTOMOBILE GIRLS AT PALM 
BEACH; Or, Proving Their Mettle Under Southern Skies.— 6 THE 
AUTOMOBILE GIRLS AT WASHINGTON; Or, Checkmating th® 
Plots of Foreign Spies* 

Cloth, Illustrated 


Price, per Volume, 75c. 

















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